There are few accurate portrayals of trans people in film prior to the mid 1990’s, either in fiction or real life stories.
Different for Girls – 1996 film described by some as the first transgender love story. Last shown in 2003 by the BBC. Also available on DVD through Amazon. One of the very few realistic fictional portrayals of a trans woman and her discovery of love with a former school friend.
Boys Don’t Cry – 1999 film which won an academy award for Hilary Swank, starring as Brandon Teena, a young Nebraskan youth murdered in December 1993 because he was a trans man.
Soldier’s Girl – 2003 true story of Private Barry Winchell, a US soldier who fell in love with Calpernia Adams, a beautiful transsexual entertainer and actress, and who was murdered by his contemporaries on grounds of his assumed homosexuality. Nominated ffor three golden globes in 2004, the HBO film has not yet been screened in the UK; however it is available as a region 1 DVD from Amazon.com.
Wild Side – 2004 French Art House film (English subtitles) due for general release in the UK in late March 2005. A moody and poignant study of a preoperative trans woman confronting the ghosts of her past when required to return from Paris to her rural roots to be with her dying mother. The film stars Stéphanie Michelini, a trans woman who has never acted before but who puts in a remarkably deep performance.
Second Serve – 1986 US Made for TV biopic recounting the childhood memories and troubled transition of Renée Richards – a transgender woman who is best remembered for the acrimonious court case which she pursued in order to be allowed to play professional women’s tennis. Stars Vanessa Redgrave in the leading role. (Details http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091913/)
Ma Vie En Rose – Enchanting but sad French feature (1997) depicting the life of a seven year old child, born a boy, but who feels and desperately wishes to be a little girl. (Details http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119590/)
Southern Comfort – Brilliantly filmed feature length fly-on-the wall documentary made in 2001 by Kate Davis, recording the last 12 months in the life of life of Robert Eads, a 52 year old trans man dying of the ovarian cancer which US doctors callously refused to treat. (Details http://www.nextwavefilms.com/southern/)
For an excellent analysis of the way in which film directors have largely misportrayed and stigmatised trans people in the past see http://www.glbtq.com/arts/transsexuality_film.html
Factual Teaching Videos
Christine Burns of Press for Change has also produced an 18 minute educational video, which explains the importance of the recent Gender Recognition Act and looks forward to the things that still need to happen for trans people to feel properly included by society. The film also explains issues which LGB and trans people experience in common, and those which are unique to trans people alone. The video is available as a DVD format and in Windows Media format on a CD (which also contains many other teaching and reference resources too). To obtain a copy simply send an email to cburns@pfc.org.uk providing your name, school postal address and indicating which format you would prefer (DVD or CD).