Movie Review: Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen

This was movie #10/20 (#24 overall) that I watched for my 20 for 2020 challenge. This premiered at Sundance in January 2020 but was released on Netflix on June 19, 2020.

I heard a lot of buzz around this documentary online. Everyone was praising it so much, which is why I decided to watch it. The subject matter is incredibly important, but I do have to admit that I feel like their points weren't told in the most coherent or understandable way. I don't think this documentary is very accessible for a wide audience to understand and I also think that some of the examples they used weren't the most effective way to show their points. I think this movie is intended to educate normal, average people and I think it was a little confusing at times. I do seem to be in the minority with this point though--most people have loved this movie and have stated how much they've learned from it. I definitely learned a lot too, but I definitely feel like some points went over my head.

I did like hearing interviews from all of the trans voices and trans actors. I enjoyed learning about the history of trans stories and characters on screen. I liked seeing the progression of bad and offensive things have been portrayed on screen over time with the use of trans characters as the butt of jokes or as crazy, horror movie serial killers. It was shocking to see some of the things that were considered to be okay to larger audiences back in the day. Or how even today, there is even more work to be done in handling trans characters in how subtle things or microaggressions can still have a significantly negative impact. And how important it is for trans people to play trans characters, so that people can see themselves represented and also so people can see that being trans isn't a costume that you can just take off.

This documentary is incredibly important and discusses many important themes regarding trans representation on screen. I do think it was a little confusing, but overall I did learn a lot and I think most people wold be able to gain at least a few takeaways from it. I would give this a 7/10. Have you watched this documentary? Let me know your thoughts below.