Film Review: Disclosure
Netflix
Possibly the most opportune moment for this Netflix documentary to open since we, as a country, are experiencing a seismic shift in our attitudes toward people not of our tribe. The coming together of people of all races to protest and demand fairness for Black Lives Matter has expanded to include many issues related to justice, racism and hatred of minorities writ large. The Supreme Court’s decision that transgender people be included for civil rights protections would imply that the climate is changing for that population as well. This thoughtful exploration of the lives of specific transgender people and how television and film portrayals influenced their self-images as they were growing up and figuring it out is insightful and informative.
The film also addresses how the negative portrayals, whether ridiculous objects of dirision, psychotic, or menacing had the effect of dehumanizing them to the world at large which is unfamiliar with anyone from a trans population. The film is largely made up of interviews with established trans people in the entertainment business who discuss meaningful clips from well-known films and television and the impressions from the trans point of view, which was often revelatory, funny and profound.
Netflix
The cast of characters is diverse and eloquent as they discuss their pain and frustration at being misunderstood, being unfairly and cruelly treated, and unheard. This group will be heard however. Headed up by Laverne Cox, who also co-produced, it includes Chaz Bono, Lily Wachowski, Brian Michael Smith, Rain Valdez and many more. Clips are from films ranging from, Psycho, Boys Don’t Cry, The Danish Girl, Yentl, and Mrs. Doubtfire. The stories are engaging and might just completely reframe the way you perceived them.
While the pandemic almost brought us to our knees, I feel that something good has come out of it. Perhaps it is the undeniability of our vulnerability along with a bit of humility. Add to that the brutal murder of George Floyd and the outpouring of rage and indignation and the weeks of impassioned protests by formerly disengaged white people. There seems to have been an expansion of our awareness and interconnectedness as well as a need for compassion and empathy as we try to put our lives back together knowing that nothing is the same. Hate and prejudice are too exhausting to include in the restructuring.
