Sevigny’s Killer Role

[SandraJane]

en|Gender


Sevigny's Killer Role


Posted by helenboyd – March 5, 2012

http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2012/03/05/12965/



So there's a new series with a trans woman as killer heroine.

Expected criticisms?

    they should have found a trans woman to play her
    ugh, trans as killer is way overdone and so 80s

amongst others.

That said, to me it looks like she's portrayed sympathetically, not demonized, which would be a vast improvement. Second, she looks like she could be a really interesting character.

[Queen Erika]

Yeaaaah, I feel really odd about not having any transpeople on the cast or crew... I've read interviews with Sevigny about the role, and she got her info about transwomen from reading popular biographies (Christine Jorgensen, etc), and she might have spoken a little with a couple transwomen... She said something about MTFs having an "exaggerated and learned femininity"... I just don't feel right about the whole thing. I'm really craving more trans-related culture created BY transpeople...

I mentioned the show to my friends, saying "There's this show coming out... about a transwoman who's also a trained assassin..." and they were all like "WHOA that totally sounds like your kinda thing!" and then I was like, "But there's no transpeople on the cast or crew of the show, and it's still pretty cissexist..." and everyone sighed in unison.

[tekla]

If you say that 'really only trans-persons should play trans-persons' you just put all trans-actors into a trans acting ghetto where very quickly the reverse reality, that trans-actors can only play trans roles becomes a reality too.

I mean it's called acting for a reason.

And a lot of this is about box-office and stars have drawing power, it's why they get cast.  Is there a trans-actor with Chloe's resume, or anything even close to it?

[Queen Erika]

I'm not saying all trans-people must play trans characters or vice versa, I'm saying that it would be nice to have a transperson play one of those roles, or at least have more transpeople directly involved in the work.

The show sensationalizes the fact that the character is trans. It might not be 100% exploitative, but it's definitely not the right message, especially with her character based on stereotypes of transwomen. Instead of getting something empowering, we get a show that's going "Ooh, look! She's got a big dirty secret! I wonder how she's going to pull herself out of this mess!"

Sadly, many transsexual actors are cornered off into the pornography realm, and all we get in terms of culture is a byproduct of the sex trade. I don't know of any trans actors with a resume quite as robust as Sevigny's, but then again I'm not surprised considering the amount of oppression we have to go through. Mainstream cinema/television is hardly interested in empowering minorities. Kate Bornstein is a successful theatre actress and author herself, however, and Lana Wachowski (formerly Larry Wachowski, who along with her brother Andy, created the Matrix Trilogy) is releasing her first film post-transition in November this year: the film adaptation of Cloud Atlas.

Granted, Cloud Atlas doesn't have much to do with transpeople, and Bornstein's plays aren't exactly filling theatres any more, but it's definitely a start to have transpeople out in the world and creating their own culture. It gives younger ones someone to look up to.

Imagine a young child catching a glimpse of this show on television, and asking their parents, "Daddy, why are they saying that lady was a man?" to which the father replies, "Because she lived as one for a very long time. And she was very uncomfortable doing that, so she decided she needed to tell people she was a lady." The child's eyes grow wide and a look of confusion contorts their face for a moment, and they say "Well, why is that such a big secret?" After staring into the television for a while, the father replies, "Because people are scared and confused. Just like all the characters in the show. And many of the people who watch the show. It's exciting because no one talks about people who change genders." The child, even more bewildered, says "I don't think that's something to be scared of. If I want to grow up to be a lady, then I should be able to tell people, and feel proud. This show is bats*** insane. F*** the patriarchy." Slowly, the child saunters back into their bedroom, and the father smiles to himself, as he gets up and smashes his television on the floor.

My initial reaction might change once the show comes out and I actually see an episode or two, but right now, I'm just annoyed with it.

[tekla]

Imagine a young child catching a glimpse of this show on television

Here is the precise for the character, and the premise for the show.
She's a killer. She kills for money, so she's crossed over into that realm of a bad person. She's a sociopath. She kills and harms and brings violence into the home without remorse — without batting an eye.

I'd rather imagine the child had parents who were, you know, parenting.  That's obviously not a show for children.  Given the increasingly tenuous grasp on reality that many adults have I'd have to think it would not be the best show for them either.

You know they don't make this stuff to push a message, they do it so they can buy houses in Bel Air and the Hollywood Hills.  Make their house payments for them, they'll make any show you want to see.

[Queen Erika]

There are still messages implicit in the tone of the show, whether they're deliberately trying to reinforce them or not. It comes off as cissexist when they portray stereotypes out of ignorance.

Whether it's a child staying up past their bedtime to see the show, or it's average adults taking these messages in, either way it seems to be doing little to nothing to help get rid of transphobia. And that's why I wanted more transpeople involved in the show.

[tekla]

Just using the posts here, I'd have to say that many - if not most - trans-persons who had a job in the industry would bend over backwards NOT to be involved in a trans movie.  They are doing everything possible NOT to be considered trans.  And other than the star (and only occasionally at that), producers, director and writers the actual input of anyone else/everyone else involved is minimal at best.  The crew is hired for their skills, not their insights and opinions - forget that, and they will be happy to immediately remind you of who you are and why you are there.   Union crew people don't get to choose their assignments at any rate - you go where the hall sends you.

The community tried for years to get more exposure and coverage - no one thought that a lot of that exposure and coverage wouldn't be good.

[Queen Erika]

Well, that's still really part of the whole issue. Being trans isn't a bad thing, and everyone acts like it is, like it should be some big secret. I know it's really risky, and the world can still be quite violent, but at some point, some people have to step up and go "Hey, I'm trans, and you know what? I'm proud. I'm going to do trans things with my trans self and trans friends and be fabulous. I'm not a gay man trying too hard, I don't rape people, I'm not trying to confuse people, I'm a great person, and you have no reason to treat me like crap." If nobody takes that risk, then I think we'll be stuck in the dark ages for a very long time. If enough of us take that risk, I'm sure we'd have the numbers to actually make a difference and educate people out there. Even if we have to endure harassment and transphobia for the rest of our lives until it happens.

And yeah, I'm aware that most of the crew has little say/input into the work itself, but I'd still feel better if there was a transperson on hand who even has the possibility of influencing the direction of the piece. An offhand comment. Something. But that's mostly just me.