'Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen' A Review

 Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen is a documentary that takes an in-depth look at Hollywood's depiction of transgender people and the impact of that depiction on transgender individuals and the community at large. Through talking-head interviews and archival footage from the silent film era to present the complicated portrayal and evolution of transgender people in media is investigated from various derogatory and questionable troupes to the more recent points of progress and acceptance.

A sweeping, fascinating, and moving dive into a marginalized group through depictions in mostly mainstream TV shows and features provides a unique and sometimes stark look at how we rely on our art to inform who we are and how that can betray us. The film also includes history on the transgender community and struggle along with incredibly poignant personal accounts from the various performers/historians/experts that are commenting on the various films/TV shows being discussed.

The relatively standard format(archive/talking head) is enlivened by the expertise as well as the honest emotion on display. Especially informative and important for the cis community as it recontextualizes and clarifies some major works of the last 50 years and makes a clear and unapologetic human connection to a group that is perennial othered.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

Don't Miss It.