Here are some photos of Jared Leto at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where he was honored with the festival’s Virtuoso Award for his supporting role in Dallas Buyers Club. As part of the award shtick, Leto sat down in front of an audience to discuss the role of Rayon, a transgender character who identifies as female. During the discussion, Jared got heckled from someone who thinks/thought he and his performance were transphobic. And what’s sort of cool is that Jared used the heckling to engage the heckler in a larger conversation about transgender issues, identity, sexuality and acting:
Jared Leto came under fire from a heckler Tuesday, who said the Dallas Buyers Club actor didn’t deserve to be honored for his work in the film.
“Trans-misogyny does not deserve an award,” said the unidentified woman, who attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Virtuosos Award tribute honoring Leto and three others who gave breakthrough performances in 2013.
“What do you mean by that?” Leto asked, to which the heckler said, “You don’t deserve an award for portraying a trans-woman, because you’re a man.”
“Because I’m a man, I don’t deserve to play that part?” Leto asked, rhetorically. “So you would hold a role against someone who happened to be gay or lesbian — they can’t play a straight part?”
Leto is nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of Rayon, a transgender woman who is also HIV-positive. He is considered a favorite to win, as he’s already won the Critics’ Choice, Golden Globe and SAG awards.
The woman continued the back-and-forth, arguing that straight people always play transgendered characters and receive awards for it. Leto repeated his argument that by the heckler’s logic, only straight actors could play straight roles.
“Then you’ve made sure people that are gay, people that aren’t straight, people like the Rayons of the world would never have the opportunity to turn the tables and explore parts of that art,” Leto said to big applause from the audience.
He offered to continue the conversation with the heckler backstage after the end of the Q&A session, which also featured fellow Virtuosos honorees Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station), Brie Larson (Short Term 12) and June Squibb (Nebraska).
Leto met with the heckler and her friend afterwards, where the trio had a cordial conversation for about 15 minutes. Leto and Dallas Buyers Club co-star Matthew McConaughey won Golden Globes for their performances, but offended some viewers with their acceptance speeches. McConaughey did not explicitly mention the fight against AIDS, while Leto joked about shaving his legs to play Rayon.
But at the SAG Awards, both men were more careful with their words, with Leto saying: “Today you not only honor me but also all those around the world living with AIDS and all those who have lost to this disease. Thank you for recognizing them and recognizing their struggle through Dallas Buyers Club.”
I generally think it’s a bad idea for anyone – an actor, politician, any kind of public speaker – to engage a heckler, because the very act of heckling is anti-engagement. A heckler doesn’t want to be engaged in conversation, they just want to shout their opinions. Still, props to Jared for handling it with grace and respect.
You know Jared is totally going to win the Oscar, right? I can’t say I’m disappointed – Leto’s Oscar campaign has been nothing short of brilliant. If Michael Fassbender had just played the game a little bit – like, say, Christian Bale played the game just a little bit – Fassy could have been a big contender for the Oscar. And that really upsets me – so many think that “Oscar campaigning” has to look like Anne Hathaway’s mess last year. It really doesn’t have to be like that. And this is the evidence – look at Jared Leto’s campaign. He hasn’t been annoying or oversaturated. He’s done a lot of press, but he’s spread it out over the past three months. He talks about his character with respect and he treats his audience with respect. He’s engaged with the process without being needy. He could write a book about Oscar campaigning, I swear.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
His hair looks like spun gold. I wish I was as pretty as he is!
He’s always been very respectful when speaking about Rayon, and the heckler just seems confused and maybe a little troll-y.
Yes his hair is beautiful and it looks thick and luscious andoh so shiny 🙂
“His hair looks like spun gold.”
YES IT DOES he’s so ethereal, sigh.
Oh man, ‘What Is Love (Baby Don’t Hurt Me)’ is running through my head now! – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhrBDcQq2DM
Jared Leto is the HOTTEST in ‘My So Called Life’! – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chjm2ybEGJk
Now, he’s like a rare and magical f*ckable woodland creature. Mmm. You’re Welcome, Internet.
Oh, Sloane, I thank you.
Slo, get out of my head!
He was brilliant that’s why he should win. If you are proud of the role and your performance why not do the circuit of talk shows interviews. They have to do that even when it’s just a regular movie coming out and no one faults other actors who are on TV all the time for roles in films. I might have to stay up until 1am just to see him accept live. ummm doubt way past my bedtime. Off my soap box and back to work for me.
Yes to everything you just said. And I’m afraid I too will have to stay way past my bed time to see the ceremony. What’s worse, I think they don’t broadcast it here in Spain. I’m hoping to find something online.
the oscars are on canal + in spain, i think. they were last year.
I believe he was brilliant in his role, but his interviews afterwards have been offensive to the transgender community. This pretense that they all (including the LGBT community) support him is ridiculous. Most of the community don’t even like him and don’t want him to win
Anna,
I hate when he keeps accepting these awards “for the Rayons of the world”. First of all Rayon was an invented character not based on a real person and second of all if you aren’t trans don ‘t presume to speak for them or act like they are all like Rayon.
You are a straight White male with the privilege of playing any character you want and to get an award for it. A trans actor doesn’t have your opportunities and won’t get an award for playing a straight character. Then again Hollywood is fine with awarding straight White males playing minorities and padding themselves on the back like it’s progress.
I’m glad he respectfully engaged with the woman — that’s actually really nice to see — but I can’t agree with him that it’s the same as a gay actor playing a straight character. The problem is that it’s incredibly difficult for trans actors to get any roles at all, and then the very few times there’s actually a trans character in something, they get a non-trans actor to play that role. I liked Jared’s performance in DBC but I can see why it wouldn’t sit right with trans people who really wanted to for once see a trans actor in a big movie like this.
But are there any trans actors around? I can’t think of any?
There definitely are. Off the top of my head, I’ve seen at least two in the last year: Laverne Cox on Orange is the New Black ad Candis Cayne as Mrs. Hudson in Elementary. There just aren’t very many roles where you’re likely to see trans actors, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any of those actors trying to get roles.
Of course there are trans actors, but there aren’t many roles out there, much less ones that would bring the kind of attention Leto is getting for DBC. And then people think there just aren’t trans actors so it’s okay that they don’t get roles, which just leads back to thinking there are no trans actors. Bad cycle. More parts that trans people could play have to go to them, in order to interrupt that way of thinking.
My opinion won’t be a popular one but here it is:
If it was my movie I’d want the part to go to whichever actor can most effectively play the part and ideally, add something special to the role. Leto is a seasoned actor with a lot of charisma and was able to hold his own onscreen with McConaughey (who is the KING of charisma is you ask me).
Maybe there are decent transgendered actors out there and maybe they would be as good and as professional as Leto was, but maybe not. Ultimately, a movie is not “community theater” nor does it have any obligation to ingratiate itself to a particular audience. A movie is simply a combination of several people’s vision (writer, director, producer, actor) . I do agree that it’s disingenuous for Leto to say that this is for the LBGT community, because it’s not really. His job is to help tell a story the best he can and to bring a character to life, he’s not making a charitable donation to the LGBT community.
That being said, I still don’t get why people are upset about this. It would be like if I complained that Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man was sexist because it’s a drawing of a man, and not a woman. It’s Da Vinci’s vision–his art and he can make it look however he wants.
In the end, Jean-Marc Vallée had his idea of how he wanted the movie to play out and perhaps he just thought that Leto could bring a level of vulnerability, sensitivity, and openness to the role of Rayon that other actors (whether gay, straight, transgendered, etc) could not. I personally thought Leto was amazing in the movie, and I doubt Vallée regrets his choice to cast him.
@Kitten:
I get what you’re saying. But since most of us aren’t as familiar with the trans acting community — who can say that another person (of ANY orientation) could have excelled in this role? And how much of Leto’s selection had more to do with art or with the built in prejudices of the creators?
Hi Ladyslippers 🙂
Well we can’t say that the casting decision wasn’t based on built-in prejudices but we can’t say it was either–we don’t know what we don’t know. How do we know that they didn’t audition several transgendered actors and simply find that they weren’t right for the role? … and as I said above, it’s not *just* about acting talent alone- an actor has to be able to hold his own onscreen with a powerful, larger-than-life actor like MM. Maybe Leto was simply the best choice for the role in a movie that a lot of people (who were involved in the making of it) had an emotional investment in.
I think to cast an actor because it’s the “politically correct” thing to do detracts from the very essence of art. Art doesn’t have to be what other people want it to be, it just doesn’t. If we started imposing our moral and political views on every movie then we’d likely have a lot of shitty-ass films out there. We would have missed out on Blanchett’s role in I’m Not There or Hillary Swank’s performance in Boys Don’t Cry or Tilda Swinton’s performance in Orlando— I just don’t think there should be limitations on art like that. Leave politics for the political arena and let films be what they are—a form of art that has no obligation to conform to the audience’s political perceptions of how any ONE community should be represented–there are forums that exist for that, let art be.
Now the exception to this is a politically-based film or a documentary. I think it’s ok to politicize films that are politically-based and that leave the door open for that discussion, but if the movie is simply telling a story (in the case of DBC a very moving and powerful one) why should it be subject to the same civic, bureaucratic BS that is so prevalent in almost every other facet of life?
I dunno…could be me getting on my art school high horse but I prefer my art and politics to be served separately.
I have to agree with Ladyslippers here. We do not know that community, well i don’t so its hard for me to say with any certainty who was the best person for the part. They chose Leto because he is a decent actor and he is famous. Most of the time the lesser known actor won’t get the part because the studios want a name actor. That doesn’t mean there aren’t lesser known actors out there that would have served the part better and been more respectful to the community.
This is a similar situation as when whites are casts as characters that are black or asian or straight men as gay in my opinion. There are enough parts for white males that they don’t have to take all the minority parts too.
“They chose Leto because he is a decent actor and he is famous”
You know this how exactly?
I mean there’s a point where I’m perfectly fine agreeing to disagree because I’m not sure that arguing based on assumptions is productive—and trust me, I only argue to get to the truth, I never argue for the sake of arguing.
Again, since I think my point was somehow lost here, I just wanted to reiterate that my opinion wasn’t to say that “maybe they auditioned transgendered actors and they weren’t right for the role” because again, that would be an assumption without knowledge or factual evidence, my point was simply that whether they did or not is irrelevant to me.
To me, a movie is an artistic vision and shouldn’t be subjected to the politically correct parameters that are part of every other facet of American life.
…and personally, I think there’s value in that.
I think there SHOULD be a place that exists where people can’t claim it for their own and exploit it for their own agenda.
@Kitten:
Again, totally understand your point of view but I think all great art provokes great, thought provoking discussions. And this has certainly achieved that.
I won’t not see DBC because I may or not agree with an artistic choice (true of all art forms) but I don’t let that dissuade me from engaging in a discussion about subjects that matter.
And, I cannot speak for everyone, but I know I have certainly walked away from this discussion more educated. That to me is what separates good art from great art — the ability to be both relevant and thought provoking across the ages. It remains to be seen if DBC achieves both.
I think the actress who plays the trans woman inmate on Orange Is the New Black does a great job and I don’t think it’s just because she’s transgender. She’s a good actress and credit goes to the writers, as well. The character is beautiful, funny and strong. What she had to go through to transition and then to maintain it (I’ve just gotten to the part where the facility will no longer provide her with the hormones she needs) is heartbreaking, yet I never pity her.
Edit: I thought I was replying to the person who asked if there are any transgender actors, but I’m not sure I ended-up in the right spot.
do we know that an experienced Trans actor read for/auditioned for the role and did a better job than Leto (who was then hired because he a privileged male actor as opposed to his perceived name recognition)? do we know that the casting agents/director/producers refused to allow a trans actor to audition?
a lot of assumptions are being bandied about with the assertion of privlege
“Again, totally understand your point of view but I think all great art provokes great, thought provoking discussions. And this has certainly achieved that.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself and could not agree with you more, Lady Slippers. One thing about this forum is that it’s so much more than a gossip website, it’s a place for thoughtful people to form intelligent, articulate responses to interesting issues. I can always count on you and other posters to contribute something insightful to the discussion. While I may not change my mind, I still love to learn from you all. 🙂
@Kitten. A name actor is always gonna be preferable to a studio looking to make profit over a lesser known actor. This movie without names like Leto and Matthew and Garner would of course have had a much more difficult time being made. That goes without saying.
I agree somewhat on what you said about artistic merits, but its a complicated discussion. There is also the issue of allowing a diverse section of our society a voice and telling their stories truthfully and i don’t think that has something to do with political correctness as much as allowing it to enrich our culture and art by broadening our minds. I am sort of digressing here but you raise an interesting question, who decides whats good art? Usually its the elite or the establishment and they go by an already established paradigm so to speak. There was a really interesting article on this subject by the artist Grayson Perry. .
@Original Kitten,
You may not check back into this thread but if you do I wanted to you to know that your views were beautifully expressed. I agree with you but probably could never have articulated what I feel as well as you have. I read it earlier today and it has been a truly horrible day and I was struck my both your honesty and your insightfulness. Usually I would have left it at that but, in this case, I really felt moved and I wanted you to know that. There is something beautiful, lyrical, and visceral about art and I would artists to be free to create without checking the “pc calendar” if that makes sense. I just want to see what someone creates as a real and true expression whether I like it or hate it being beside the point.
I hope you understand what I have tried to convey. At the very least, understand that I identify with and respect your viewpoint. BTW, I’d like to think writing, well anyway, is an art and I appreciate your work here 🙂
Yeah, that’s what I’m leaning towards. You have to recognize and account for the existing privilege and dominance of straight actors in the industry. If there were as many non-straight leading actors as straight, and everyone gets the same amount of work, then it’s fair to say it’s the same as a gay actor playing a straight character. But the reality just isn’t there yet. So many times, the gay actor is passed over in favor of the straight actor, even when the character is gay. It’s frustrating, even from an outsider perspective.
I agree. That’s not on Leto, but I understand the frustration of trans actors and activists about this. And this isn’t just about DBC. People raised the question when Hillary Swank won her Oscar, too.
and with felicity huffman in transamerica.
i understand leto’s point and i certainly don’t blame him, but at the same time it must be hugely frustrating for trans women to know that even if there are roles for them, they’re not getting them.
I agree with you Esti. You, Lolo-ology and Ellen have raised some valid points.
Yeah, you’re completely right. But I’m still impressed that he offered to talk with the heckler afterwards–that’s a classy move.
Totally agree about that. I’m really glad he didn’t just give a flippant answer and refuse to engage.
My cousin is a transgender woman, and we saw this movie together a few weeks ago (it was very close to my heart because a cousin on the other side of my family died of AIDS in the 80s and it was treated as a very shameful thing and swept under the rug). She told me that, in general (because she cannot speak for the whole community), the trans* community would like to see transgender characters played by transgender actors and not cisgender actors. She also said because Rayon identifies herself as a woman, it would have even preferable to have a female actress portray her (sort of like Felicity Huffman in TransAmerica). The big argument is that there aren’t enough transgender actors to fill these roles, but I think that the truth is that transgender actors are not given enough opportunities. I am glad that Jared is willing to start a dialogue about the subject, and the trans* community should have a voice in the matter. I also do not think a straight actor playing a gay character is the same thing as a cisgender actor play a transgender character.
That being said, I thought Jared did a great job in the movie and I really enjoyed it (I still think Chiwetel or Leo deserve the Oscar over MM, though).
Well… willing to start a dialogue or campaigning for an Oscar… It’s more of the latter.
Let’s not forget both he and Matthew are white, cis males who were too caught up in their vanity to properly thank the community respectively theHIV survivors for basically delivering them two Oscar statues at their feet.
Jared’s role is more of a caricature of what he thinks a trans woman looks like… There’s a lot of uncanny valley in his portrayal, “the oh look at me, I’m a freak and by the way, you guys, I waxed everywhere”. FFS.
It’s fine to fawn over an actor but let’s not givw credit where no credit is due. From his responses and the present one is no exception, it stinks of patriarchal condescension. The same applies to Douglas.
@Mallory:
I can’t comment on DBC as I haven’t seen it. But Douglas’ comments in his acceptance speeches are awful. And so was Behind the Candelabra (the acting was good but everything else was horrible). It angers me on so many levels that both this movie and Douglas are being honoured. It tends to support the theory that certain topics and roles are rewarded rather than the acting itself.
(Oh you played a gay man — how horrible is that for a straight man — let’s reward you for your ‘hardship’. But evil men aren’t as trying or challenging for an actor, let’s ignore those performances {like Fiennes or Fassbender})
Even worse than that… if we are to believe and I can wager a bet, that some members of the Academy won’t even watch 12 Years a Slave because it is too hard to watch or some other nonsense. Oh spare me… It’s still doesn’t make it go away. (But they nominated the token black movie, so everything’s fine with the world, they should’ve put Fruitvale Station on the map too, that movie would’ve shown the Academy just how far people of color still are from their ideals).
I have no problem with the Hollywood papier mache world, the make belief, the popularity contests, the petty scandals, not even with the hypocrisies per se, but I find it incredibly annoying when they trick minorities into this false sense of security which in turn, fools the majority into thinking that all’s great with the world. Or as Clooney put it a while ago, that Hollywood was at the forefront of the social movement, or something. Are we sure Hollywood didn’t inspire Rosa Parks and MLK? Or the suffragettes?
If the character of Rayon is a biological make who identifies with the female gender, then it would be incorrect to have a biological female actress play the character, right? If that’s what Rayon called for then they did the correct thing in hiring a biologically male actor and dressing him as female. You can go into the whole trans actor v. non trans actor, but it shouldn’t be a female actress.
@ Jessica
No. At least a woman like in Transamerica. The role is very “otherising”. Keeping proportions, and exaggeration noted, it’s a bit like blackface. You there was point when blackface was generally accepted but now it’s frowned upon, well if we’d be more inclusive of the trans community and if more voices would be heard, it’d be a similar thing – “transface”. But because trans are frowned upon, we completely miss the point. Just because the label is LGBTQ, it doesn’t mean the members are interchangeable or that straight males should just trample all over the problems and concerns of these minorities. And no gay marriage, doesn’t fix everything and neither is it a favor from the patriarchy.
I know that many trans found Leto’s portrayal validating but for me it screamed of male playing a woman. If fact he was acting like a cross-dresser than anything else which is so much worse and even potentially triggering. But it’s a movie, it’s art. So what? So what if Marty validated Jordan Belfort by putting him in his movie at the end? It’s art. So what if American Hustle didn’t note in the least how Abscam reaked of Islamophobia? It’s art. Can’t pass judgement on art.
At least, Ejiofor played a drag queen without being “oh the burden of the male in women’s clothes, the cross I have to bear”.
Maybe they cast what they believed to be the best ACTOR for the role. Did they consider or audition any transgender actors? In my humble opinion, that would be an important question.
@Sullivan:
Please note that I am speculating based on other actors and actresses comments.
A lot of movies don’t always have open casting. And even then, there are built in prejudices that will blind or steer people away or towards certain people.
Transgendered people are a GREAT example of a group that is wrapped in layers of prejudice. I grew up with a transgendered uncle but only found out a few years ago the truth. Before that it was just whispers and rumours of who ‘he’ really was. And even growing up with this uncle, I’m still not sure I wouldn’t have some initial uncomfortableness around a transgendered person — we hear so many negative and slanderous things about them. Although, I’m fairly certain my feelings would be more transitive than most — basically I’m saying I’m not perfect even with my exposure. So take all the normal prejudices against transgender people and try imagining working with one transgendered person or multiple, I mean really imagine it. Most people would run for the hills without giving them a chance. Not many of us like feeling that uncomfortable.
So let’s imagine you are okay with it. They may not be the best actor or actress. Why? It’s often the lack of opportunities that stymies other opportunities. It becomes a vicious circle. I’d bet transgendered people even have a harder time getting into acting school to get the training, and thus, the opportunity to master your craft which might make them the best actor/ actress.
In order for ANY minority to have a chance in any profession, people have to be willing and open to let them in. And what I mean is straight, white people but often it’s straight, white men that aren’t open. Right now there isn’t enough women and minorities in power in Hollywood to change that dynamic (often women and other minorities will open doors for other minorities — not always but often enough to make a difference).
So that’s why, IMHO, using your logic doesn’t work here. It makes sense until you look beyond the surface.
I hope that helps explain things a bit more.
I’m also reminded of how John Barrowman, a fantastic actor, and a gay man, didn’t get the part of Will in Will & Grace. It went, instead, to straight guy Eric McCormac. This sort of thing happens all too often. The playing field is not level.
Exactly what I wrote above, Sullivan.
@Lolo:
That’s it in a nutshell — it’s not a level playing field.
@Kitten:
Oh I’m going to have to reread your comment because I missed that. Yikes! (The yikes is on me) :-/
ETA: I reread the comments and I thought and still think you were arguing from the artistic standpoint. Was I wrong?
@Ladyslippers: Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough response.
@Mallory: When you explained hiring a straight man to play a trans woman being akin to “blackface” — that hit me like an anvil on the head.
I found the comments on this post to be interesting and thought provoking.
@Sullivan
Just saw my typos. Too busy typing self-righteously. Lol.
My personal opinion (and keep in mind I am speaking in the context of Hollywood ONLY) is that the transgendered community is likely very similar to the heterosexual majority. I’d be willing to venture that there are a lot of people in both “communities” (I mean really, is there a “straight community”?) that want to be famous actors, and very few who are actually talented enough to achieve that.
@Sullivan: You are ever so welcome! I try. Lol I do try to be thoughtful and thorough but can get long winded. 😉
@Mallory: I’m the Queen of Typos but happy to share my crown. 😉
@Kitten: Amen to that! The problem is the transgendered community is so much smaller in proportion to both the straight & greater GLBT that it further restricts those talented transgendered actors & actresses.
🙁
@Mallory: I was too interested in what you had to say to notice any typos. 😄
@ TheOriginalKitten
Unfortunately, the problem of Leto’s degree of understanding of some of trans issues – since he’s all methody – got conflated with the trangender actors. Sure, the community might’ve liked to see one of their on the big screen but I think no one was actually holding their breath. Definitely a non-starter.
For all his method acting, it doesn’t seem like he understood much. And because of that, he’s been perceived at times as ungainly, other times as insensitive.
But because trans issues are so remote, the public perceives them as they perceive whatever is outside their basic social understanding. I mean 20 years, gays weren’t widely accepted either and in some places they still aren’t (I’m referring to America here since it’s an standard for social progress).
Meh. I don’t agree. There’s always an uproar – Americans playing Brits, straight actors playing gay, and now this. When it comes down to it, there aren’t very many prominent roles for actors, period. It’s incredibly difficult to for older actors (women especially), actors who are not Hollywood beautiful, or Hollywood skinny, to get roles.
Wouldn’t a transwoman be able to audition for female roles, same as any other woman? It’s not like when you’re auditioning, you need to say “Hey, I’m a transwoman.” You live your life as a woman, and you audition for female roles. you either get them or you don’t, same as any other actress.
But there are always roles for straight white males… Oh please. A Brit playing an American is not the same thing as woman playing a cis woman. Last time I checked Brits weren’t killed for being Brits, nor straight males for being straight.
There’s so much latent transphobia going around with this movie that I don’t know where to begin.
ESTI,
I agree with the heckler too. She was making a great point about Hollywood liking to reward straight actors for playing Gay/ bi/transgendered, but when was the last time a gay or transgendered actor got awarded for playing straight? How many roles do gay/bi/transgendered actors get?
Leto deliberated ignored her argument and turned it into a ‘so you don’t think gay actors should play straight characters?’ That’s not what she was saying at all but Leto going with that false equivalency because it will make him look good in the press as a defender of gay rights. Whereas the heckler who may be a real transgendered comes out in the press like a bigot. Well done Leto, I guess he truly is the King at Oscar campaigning.
Nikkie
Completely agree. In fact it’s you, Mallory, and LadySlippers throughout this thread that are killing it.
I only have to add that as I’ve said before, I’ve had the misfortune of dealing with Leto in both a professional and relaxed setting in a span of 5 to 2 years ago. He seems as smart as a pseudo intellectual and dismisses opposing thoughts by writting off the whole person in the discussions. He’s about about as kind to his fans as Bieber and don’t ask him about his Soap days because he’ll spit on you.
The terms “grace” and “respect” are 2 words I have never seen Leto show an employee or fan. He does know how to act and sell an image. In fact I do think he’s an amazing actor and good singer. Outside of that he always struck me as an older Bieber with better handlers.
@Florc:
Thank you. Although I think there were numerous outstanding comments.
And Jared being a gloried JB is very, very sad.
@Florc
Thanks. I think it’s important to have these conversations even if this is a gossip site because integration is an incredibly slow process and by the time, a topic because mainstream enough for the minorities to reap any benefits, the damage has already been done. Just look at the white men’s debate about a woman’s reproductive rights, and technically a woman should be an equal to the man. Just look at how many abortion clinics have been closed. It’s funny how everybody cares about the embryos but after the child is born – well then it’s everyone for itself.
But because patriarchy is hegemonic, it breads discontent among minority groups and within subsets of these groups, turning them against one another; and at the same time, it manages to turn itself into a victim: somehow the white male majority becomes the oppressed majority beaten into submission. “But it’s a democracy!” They say. “First amendment.” They cry. It’s actually a republic, the Founders weren’t too thrilled on the idea of a pure democracy since it can lead in turn to the tyranny of the majority which usually doesn’t go too well for the minorities. And as far as free speech goes, sure… eveybody’s free to talk away. No one is preventing anyone from expressing their thoughts.
The problem starts when a privileged person – a la WASP – feels the need to impose those thoughts on others, either subtly or condescending. Usually, it feels like straight cis people think being gay, lesbian, bi or trans is a contagious disease. Hence why they also think they can cure “gayness” – whatever that is.
Or why gay marriage is the first step to Abaddon.
Whereas the minorities don’t preach out of spite when they act “all b****y” – to quote classics alive- but out of the need to be included, out of the need for security as well as out of the need to be understood and recognized as human beings and not treated as sub-human.
For a better understanding of this just look at Piers Morgan’s follow-up with Janet Mock. I know that’s his still but he’s bullying her to acquiesce to his viewpoint.
“Oh look at me, the white generous man throwing breadcrumbs at your feet and you dare spur your followers on me while all this time, I’ve been nothing but kind and LGBTQ friendly. But you people are never happy. You always want more.”
That’s the subtext.
This is an amazing discussion on transgender actors! Thank you Esti, O’Kitten, LadySlippers, Leah, Lolo ology, Ellen, sputnik, Mallory, and all the posters of this thread.
I too would have loved to see a beautiful trans actress like Cox play Rayon in DBC. http://jezebel.com/orange-is-the-new-blacks-laverne-cox-is-simply-stunnin-1468466143
On the other hand, Jared Leto at his clueless worst was really offensive during his speeches & he played a trans woman as ugly! That was totally unnecessary because he could have SO easily played her as beautiful. (I hope that wasn’t his choice and it was the brass who called the shots.)
The best I can say about Jared Leto’s press until now is that he’s improving; that’s something. I’m a huge fan of Jordan Catalano, uh Leto, so I hope he learns a thing or three about the transgender community as he navigates his press junkets. Myself, I’m off to read up and learn why trans people are not thrilled at how they were portrayed for laughs in this movie. – http://transhollywood.tumblr.com/post/73788989742/a-step-by-step-guide-through-jared-letos-trans
IMO, Sons of Anarchy got it so much better.- http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/venus-van-dam It expanded the Walter Goggins trans woman role in the show, from sexual instrument to a real member of their community. This show turned pulp conventions on transphobia on their head, treating someone who would harass, humiliate, and sexually abuse a trans person as if they’re a poisonous villain who deviates from the law, sexual norms, and common decency. I love that one of my hands down favorite hour of TV shows us that cisgenders can play trans people with respect and sensitivity. “How ‘Sons of Anarchy’ Became An Unexpected Advocate For Trans Equality” – http://thinkprogress.org/alyssa/2013/10/24/2826741/sons-anarchys-venus-van-dam/
The Movie Business rewards actors who put butts in seats and who sell downloads, etc. in the aftermarket. When we are lucky enough to get the marriage of Art and Commerce, I rejoice. When I see break out actors, especially those who don’t fit the ‘mainstream’ mold, I’m ecstatic.
Well his character was a heavy drug user, not to mention dying of AIDS throughout the film, so if he had of been gorgeous and healthy looking like Laverne Cox it would have been a little odd. Leto himself looked pretty terrible due to the extreme weight loss, it’s not like he came in looking like he does now and they uglied him up.
I lost many friends during that time, and even the most beautiful looked like death warmed over in their last years. I thought Leto looked very realistic, his make-up, wigs, clothing etc. was spot on for the time period and the characters situation.
I know death isn’t pretty, but the transgender people I’ve met were exquisite women and so fashionably attired that I’d hoped we’d have a Greta Garbo ‘Camille’ type wasting away as Rayon.
Penny, you make good points. I guess I prefer the Hollywood Pixie Dust Treatment of the ‘Steel Magnolia’ or ‘Terms of Endearment’ death scenes. Stephanie Battaglino is the exemplar a beautiful, sophisticated woman that I’d love to see on the Silver Screen. – http://www.glaad.org/blog/heroines-my-life-interviews-trans-advocate-stephanie-battaglino
If Tinsel Town insists on cisgender men playing transgender women, a lovely Chiwetel Ejiofor type depiction would rock the shit out of that role and not be construed as a ‘creature’ who’s far outside of femininity as you can get. – Lola in ‘Kinky Boots’ http://shapelypoops.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/cross_ejiofor_2107102i.jpg
@ Penny and Sloane Wyatt
With respect to what Sloane Wyatt said about Laverne Cox, I don’t think it was meant for Cox to play Rayon as is. Nobody said a terminal disease sufferer should be portrayed all bouncy, giddy and apparently healthy.
As for trans people being used as props in movies and other social media. Because it is still outside the basic frame of reference, it’s not registered by the public. So when LGBTQ or POC groups complain about something, the further the subset is from the set box of accepted ideas, the more it will seem as political correctness extremism. And it doesn’t even have to be a subset, just look at guys’ attitude towards rape jokes.
What is worse though is that you have guys like Colbert and Stewart with huge platforms that use trans people as the butt of their jokes and then they preface it with satire. All along people are laughing and clapping. And they’re seen as leftest from the left in the mainstream. Because of this, the dialogue is limited and reduced to parroted stereotypes.
“We picked on the powerful. Now lets pick on the powerless. I’m sure no one abuse the latter, lately.”
Follow these links for examples:
http://yourfaveisproblematic.tumblr.com/post/50119377326/stephen-colbert
http://badtransjokes.tumblr.com/post/44475052007/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart
http://yourmomentofhate.tumblr.com/
This isn’t a big movie despite the marketing campaign. It’s an indie made on a very low budget. Everybody had to take payouts and shoot for only a few weeks in order to make their small budget work.
Campaigning aside, he was AMaZING in DBC. If he wins the Oscar it will be deserved, campaigned or not.
Completely agree. And I’ve seen 12 Years a Slave, and I think he was better than Fassy. Lupita and Chiwetel deserve the Oscar, but I think Leto was better than Michael.
+1000. Chiwetel deserves at least one award. He was AMAZING and I’m so upset his performance isn’t being recognized.
Just saw 12 YAS and was underwhelmed. I don’t get all the fuss. It was a good movie, not great. Their performances were good, not great. Fassbender’s performance was the best, Pitt was completely out of place in an otherwise well cast movie.
Same here as @daisy, except I don’t think Fassender was that good. I absolutely loved Dalla Buyers Club and I though MM was great in it as it definitely was Jared. I’m hoping they both win but if only Jared does, I’ll leave happy.
Diana
The Academy loves to give the Oscar to a minority over the years they never even nominated worthy actors because of skin color. 12 yas could sweep it with a few going to DBC.
I don’t approve of heckling, but I think in this case it was important for Jared to engage, because while he has a point so did his critic. Trans women are usually played by cis men and cis women are played by cis women. That doesn’t leave much room for trans women to have entertainment careers, and I can see it being frustrating to see male actors rewarded for representing you when you’d never have that chance. I’m not saying the heckler was right, but I think it was the right thing for Jared to treat these concerns with respect by having a longer conversation about them.
Agree. Her point was valid (especially since trans women statistically face so much violence from cis men–having the people who are the biggest threat to you, as a group, representing you on screen must be frustrating to say the least), but he handled it respectfully.
I have to agree with all of this. I give Jared a lot of credit for taking the time to have a conversation with her and treating her point of view respectfully. It also sounds like she did the same to his point of view afterwards. I don’t know that many people would have done that.
And he has run a brilliant Oscar campaign. He should write a book on how it’s done.
The woman definitely had a point, and while I agree with Leto that gay actors should be able to play straight and vice versa, I do think her argument holds more weight. The fact remains that straight actors often get praised and awarded for playing gay and in this case transgender actors, while the people who actually live those lives continue to be marginalized.
That said, I think Leto handled this situation well, and was also impressed with the change in attitude after his Globes speech was criticized. Too many people get defensive in situations like that, and Leto it seems is willing to listen to criticism and be respectful to the people giving it.
Yes, yes, yes!! Transgender actors are often marginalized and sometimes used as the butt of jokes, while cisgender actors play transgender characters and are praised. I think some people think “what’s the big deal, at least Hollywood is making movies about transgender people” without seeing the bigger picture.
I agree that he handled it well. What a stupid thing to say on the part of the heckler! His campaign game has been pretty good. He was completely amazing in the film.
He was brilliant, but my God, so was Fassbender. And to be fair, Jonah Hill was excellent in WOWS as well. I know it’s very naive of me, but it’s so annoying that they even have to campaign. It should be on performance alone. (As I said, naive)
This. Jared was good but he wasn’t any better than the other nominees. He’s just been out campaigning like crazy.
I think he was better than Michael and Jonah.
@SonjaMarmeladova
I think the fact that this was Jared’s first film in years, it’s perfect Oscar bait and he’s willing to campaign gave him an edge. I just don’t think he was that much better. Supporting actor should have been closer this year.
But just think about how gorgeous he will look on stage while accepting his award!! That said, I thought he was brilliant and I hope he wins.
I think they were all fantastic, but unfortunately only one person can get that Oscar. When you compare each role and the context, it is often like comparing apples to oranges. Playing a sympathetic character is so different from playing a “villian” (like Fassy and Barkhad Abdi) and they are both very different from playing a mostly comedic role (I’m not even going to include Bradley Cooper in that, because wtf was that movie… not everything David O’Russell does is great Academy!)
I gotta say…Johah Hill was totally great in WOW…he held his own with DiCapio…I was so surprised…too many great performances this past year…I wish they all could win!
Totally agree! Couldn’t believe how great he was
I thought Jonah’s entire performance and the scene where DiCap is trying to get back into his Lamborghini were the only good things about Wolf of Wall Street. I was bored the rest of the time.
what the heck is going on around his mouth in the last pics? it looks orange and a different color from his face. Weird.
Beefaroni.
Omg, I snorted. Hahaha
*cackles*
I’m glad he’s returned to acting and that he’s turned out to be such an intelligent and interesting person. And the hair. My god, the hair.
Not just a pretty face (and hair)! Intelligent, respectful, engaged and open minded. The man is just about perfect. I can happily just stare at his face…no story needed. Just his photo will do. 😉
+1000 yes I can stare and watch him all day. I could also brush his hair if he needs an at home stylist
He handled the situation very well. He’s such a handsome man,oh, that hair and those eyes. He looks so young,i guess that’s one of the benefit of being a vegetarian. I love his band’s song ,city of angels,such a great song.
The long form video was pretty great too. I think Jared shot it himself?
Yes,he did! The short version was one take.
…he is so gross. I do not understand.
Even if fassbender would have campaigned, that Oscar still would have been in Jared’s pocket. The boy was brilliant on BDC. He deserves to win the Oscar, as I’m hoping he will.
This article and all the intelligent responses got me thinking.
When is a heckler just a heckler and when is a heckler not a heckler because they are actually bringing up a valid argument? I ask this because we have created a culture (throughout the entire internet) where opinions basically have to conform and ANY contrary opinion is hushed with the label ‘heckler’ or ‘troll’. And the accepted wisdom is to not feed (i.e. acknowledge or engage) said troll or heckler. BUT, as this example demonstrates, not all hecklers and trolls are really hecklers or trolls. This woman really did have a valid and worthwhile argument and ended up being equally respectful when hearing a counter argument. (A true heckler or troll is not respectful and is bringing contrary opinions up just to enjoy the ‘show’ and isn’t to educate or enlighten anyone).
So do we slap the heckler/ troll label too soon? Are we creating an environment/ culture that consists of group think? Is the valuable, but respectful, opposing opinion going the way of the dinosaur and the doo doo bird? I ask because I see politics (I’m an American) as a great example. At one time, opposing parties could have *heated* debates but were respectful, and most important, productive. Now, American politics are anything but respectful and productive.
But it goes beyond politics. I see it on tumblr and other internet places — have an opinion that conforms or suffer the consequences, even if the opinion is respectful and has a valid reason behind it. Have we lost the ability to listen as well???
Thoughts?
Trolling for the sake of trolling in one thing and it’s usually in the far-right extreme of insert your preference.
While here’s a bit in the vein of what Code Pink does, heckling as a sign of civil disobedience.
And if we are to be serious, Hollywood is more conservative than we’d like to admit and despite popular belief it’s all the things we’d like to think it’s not: it’s racist, misogynistic, xenophobe, transphobe and whatever. Why? Because it uses or better said takes advantage of tokens (we gave you the fat girls Lena and J Law what more do you want? and look, the gays, all dancing and singing at the Emmys. We must be an inclusive bunch, non?) and gets a free pass, because it is and it will continue to be white straight cis male dominated.
As far as group think goes, it depends on the ideas transmitted. Does a white male feel the need to defend Woody Allen because everybody knows that b****es ask for it and lie afterwards. Well then he should go other men’s rights activists and hang out with them. Are a bunch of privileged white ladies calling themselves feminists dissing on women’s of color feminism because they somehow highjacked twitter with their viral hashtags, well then they should expand their horizon.
Usually if the privileged majority is calling abuse (see Piers Morgan’s cisphobia nonsense) then that’s a sign of the majority feeling threatened. And when it feels threatened, it’s also the most vicious.
In regards to the valuable, opposing opinion. It depends on the issue but as far as social issues go, there are far too little worthy opposing ideas left and by opposing ideas I’m referring to the dominant, conservative ideas (the sanctity of marriage, the anti-abortion movement, the there’s no climate change, it’s just the Sun nonsense, the Stubenville’s of the world, the worthy 1 per-centers, the “persons of color wearing hoodies” right to be shot on the spot and so on and so forth). Just cuz there are progressive pockets in America, that doesn’t mean trans women aren’t killed and abused or that hate crimes are a thing of the past but still the mainstream media needs to hear both sides of the story: the borderline homophone and the victim of abuse. The Zimmermans’ of the world and the Trayvons. The media has to portray the sides of the problem as equal when in some if not most cases, they are anything but.
Sorry for ranting. Just my two cents.
Rant away! Lol
I was using politics as an example but I think this is an issue that is a serious one and has ramifications in every aspect of our world.
TBH I’m still reflecting on your answer so I don’t and haven’t formulate an articulate response (I reflect a lot on stuff).
To be continued…. hopefully…
I got what you meant. The problem with politics and their ramifications for the rest of the social sphere, is that currently, you’ve got an extremely conservative Republican party hijacked by the Tea Party (see another false equivalence between the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street movement, last time I checked none of the OWS-ers got into Congress) and the Democratic Party that’s moved to the center-right and is paying lip-service to its voters during elections and afterwards all goes as scheduled. Exceptions noted.
But another problem is with the mainstream media and the ivory tower analysts, where some progressive, lefty ideas that aren’t that out there, are perceived as out of the anarcho-primitivist textbook. And in a way, media shapes public opinion and if the public with all its problems, is constantly shown false equivalencies, of course it will have backwards ideas about the current state of affairs and it will take a lot more to catch up to the progressive pockets (where nobody worry, tends to be some in-fighting).
That’s why out of CNN, MSNBC and Fox, I “prefer” Fox cuz there you have the true definition of trolling and in their perverse way, at least their honest about their views, whilst the other two tend at times to be a tad sycophantic.
Yes, she wasn’t really a heckler. She had a valid criticism and took the time to engage with Leto in a civilized conversation after the event. Her question would have never got to him if she didn’t yell it out. The mainstream press has not asked him such a deep question throughout his campaign. Transgendered activists haven’t had a chance to get interviews with him.
That was part of my point, this woman was NOT a heckler. She had a legitimate but contrary opinion that had to resort to an unusual method in order to be heard. In this day and age, it is hard to voice a not-so-popular opinion and still be heard or respected. To me, it’s not so much of whether Jared or this woman was right or wrong, what matters more is the great lengths one has to go in order to have a decent and respectful discussion. And both sides need props for that regardless of outcome (and by outcome I mean assigning or making one person ‘right’).
This is a really interesting question. My general preference is for people to express their opinions calmly, logically, politely, and when it’s their turn to speak, but I suspect that part of that is that most things in my life have led me to believe that my turn to speak will come around eventually and that people will be willing to listen to me when I do. There are some gender issues where I’m likely to cross some of my own lines, and not so coincidentally, they tend to be the ones where I don’t feel my opinion is being credited.
So, no, I don’t think we should discredit a worthwhile argument just because it came in the form of “heckling.” Realistically speaking, if the woman in question hadn’t heckled, we wouldn’t have heard about her question or be talking about this issue. It’s not like it’s come up very frequently (at least in mainstream news outlets) when Leto’s performance has been discussed. And given that environment, I can see how someone who cares about this issue would become very frustrated and how some of that frustration might come through when asking that question, especially when given an answer that seems simplistic or evasive.
I do still place some value on civility, but I sometimes think we put the responsibility for it on the wrong shoulders. I’d say the more power and the more of a platform someone has, the more of a duty they have to be respectful toward their opponents, which might include giving them some space in which to speak if they’re not equally powerful.
Agreed LunchComa. I value civility and think the person with the most power has a responsibility to be more respectful than the disenfranchised person. However, how much if that stems from the fact we are women? Any other sociological, cultural, psychological, etc. reasons you can think of?
Well, I think being part of any group that’s been been on the receiving end of a tone argument creates a little awareness of how they can shut down discussion, but admittedly I’ve seen a lot of women be terribly hypocritical when talking someone from another group who’s making a good point in a manner they dislike.
Oddly, I think it might have something to do with being a lawyer as well. As elitist and formal as law can be, there’s also a grand theory there that people interested in a matter should be able to make their arguments, and at least a few protections put in place for situations where the parties have very different amounts of power. There are also so many situations where those ideals fail and there’s injustice, but I think that’s made me more sensitive to the gaps between the theory and the reality. When we’re talking about public discourse, people have very different abilities to speak in a way that’s heard by others to begin with. Putting the responsibility to maintain civility on the least powerful people, which I think we often do, tends to shut down the debate altogether and lead to a non-discussion or one where an important party isn’t present – which ultimately isn’t good for anyone.
He is absolutely going to win and, you know what? He deserves it. My perception of him has changed completely after seeing the film and witnessing his subsequent campaign. Good for you, Jared Leto!
I saw The Dallas Buyers Club last weekend and his performance was brilliant. He was not over the top. His actions were small and perfect for the part. I’ve never been a fan of his before, but I was very impressed with this performance. I enjoyed the movie. The only thing I found uncomfortable was when Matthew M cried. Both times when he did full on crying, he had his mouth wide open and elicited a wail that was almost laugh provoking. TMO.
OMG! This thread….
Since when is acting or the movie industry about ‘social justice’? At best, we can hope that some films change people or society and influence in ways that make people think.
But film is first and foremost a business, followed by entertainment and then art [some would prefer film to movies and put art first, but most would agree it is entertainment at this point in time, for the masses].
As a business, it is to make money entertaining people. As an art form, it is to express a quality of beauty [beauty can be ugly or shocking, too] that engages people at a deep level, causing them to reflect or perhaps transform. Art. Creativity.
Social justice has a place in the film industry, or in the art industry, education, etc. But it is not the sole reason that these industries exist, nor should it be. The function of the film industry is not social justice; social justice is one aspect.
When these conversations go on and on about how many transgendered actors have a hard time finding work and ‘we’re not familiar with the trans actor community’ omg. There will never be the same numbers of people working ‘as transgendered actors in trans roles’. You have to look at demographic-and it’s not just money and profit. It’s also reality: People want to see stories that they can relate to, to ponder their own lives [entertainment and brain numbing aside].
Yes, there should be more coverage (in general in the media, not just film industry) of subject matter that is marginalized, including transgender. But the idea that we should all somehow know the lingo of the whole LGBT movement is ridiculous-the terms and ‘correct etiquette’ is constantly changing within the’ community’ [a term that people as such as quick to deny exists, I might add. ‘oh, we’re not all the same you can’t speak for us all’. Then stop acting like it’s a damn community that needs to be advocated for.]
Also, I personally have no interest in seeing films with certain subject matter. I can read an article or research websites or books on my own about aids, slavery, etc.
But I am not going to apologize b/c I’m simply not interested in someone else’s spin on a historical event on the big screen. Yet, some make it out like it’s ‘too uncomfortable’ for people. There’s some truth in that, but not everyone who’s not interested is uncomfortable or clueless.
I also don’t want to live in a world where actors and films are expected to be the way to teach us values, acceptance or educate us about nuances and subcultures of life.
Obviously, there can be more than two choices in life-that’s the point, right? so the same goes for this coverage of trans in film or anywhere.
@lrm:
In my humble opinion — good art provokes discussions. No one is saying (at least I’m not) there is a right or a wrong but I think this discussion is fantastic and is an example of what good art is.
Sorry — you probably will disagree with me and I can live with that.
It’s not about social justice, you just made a straw-man. It wasn’t only about movies. In so far as I’m concerned, conflating business and art, don’t go well together, I find it prejudicial to the art. Also considering how with some movies, it’s all about popularity, that sure call it pop art but all this art talk for the sake of art, smells funny because it takes out of the realm of honest debate into the “it’s wrong to say A, B, C about this movie, it’s all about the art, it’s not meant to save your soul”. Funny how some art can heal one’s soul but some of the contemporaneous art is not design to do it. Oh well. Art can also be subverted by business. And so on and so forth ad infinitum.
As far as expecting actors to do whatever…. Sure, they’re not supposed to teach us anything and I’m sure the moment one would start preaching anything (a la Goop), the pitchforks will be raised. But with issues and especially if they’re profiteering from marginalized groups and silenced voices, they should at least get informed more than on a superficial basis. Talking to a transgendered person or a lesbian, doesn’t automatically make you an honored member of the group, least of all an ally. This is the new “I’m not racist, I have a black friend.”
Hollywood is a trend setter, it likes to advertise itself as liberal, a bastion of free expression, it also likes to pander to the minorities because they’re also a source of revenue.
@Mallory:
I’m in total awe of what you said. More things to reflect on!
I think Leto was good but at the same time he didn’t blow me away. It was a thankful part. Rayon is the emotional heart of the movie and i think a lot of actors could have done a good job with it. It was a well written part that the audience fall in love with. I do feel Fassbender should win based on pure acting ability as opposed to the putting on a frock or loosing weight school of acting. The latter offers a more obvious transformation but does not necessarily create a deeper or more skilful performance.
I don’t have any experience (to my knowledge) with transgender actors or the transgender community, so I was wondering if someone could explain to me something that I often see in statements regarding transgender rights: what is cis or cisgender? Is this an approved terminology and who approved it? By approved I mean is this a term a group of people labeled themselves with or is it a term given by one group to another group?
Cisgender is not so many words means that my gender identity is the same as the one I was born with.
@Mallory – So, someone who’d check “male” on a form and was also born male would be cisgender, correct? Is this a clinical term or is it a term mainly used in the transgender community? I’m asking because I don’t want to use certain terminology thinking that it’s okay and/or correct only to find out that it’s considered derogatory by others such as the word “retarded”.
Yeah. That’s basically it.
It’s used diversely, in gender studies, academically wise, in literature. From what I’ve read it’s been used on the Internet from the early or mid 90s.
As far as the exact percentages go, I’m not sure exactly, but the cis terminology is used in the LGBTQ community and by its allies. It’s not derogatory.
Since the mainstream is all cis male and female dominated, it’s not obviously not used but for a better coverage, you should check Melissa Harris Perry on MSNBC, she covers trangender issues pretty well.
The most basic thing you have to watch out for, is using the right pronouns: she instead of he and vice versa. That’s what Piers Morgan wasn’t able to do with Janet Mock.
I hope it’s helpful.
All this talk about “Oscar campaigns and playing the game” is yet another reminder of how celebrities are just like politicians. What they say and do isn’t genuine, it’s all about manipulating the public’s perception of them. Politics might be show business for ugly people, but more and more show business is becoming politics for attractive people.
Have you all seen the video, walks out to the stage like he’s a god… so bow down to him. He is arrogant as hell! I’m not good with links.
He did twist the heckler’s words aroud and made himself look good. He has a lot of followers and he has the looks for the extra pull (Leto knows good and well that a transgender would have never been picked to play that role).
I didn’t read all of the comments but someone said that just about actor could have pulled off this character. The late Phyllip Seymour Hauffman(Flawless), Chiwetel(Kinky Boots), and Ving Rhames(can’t name the movie) all were just as great as Leto performance wise, but the transformation is what worked for Leto he actually looked like woman.
He and MM will no dobt win the Oscars. They are all over the place.
I think he handled the situation well. The questioner is entitled to her opinion, but I’m more inclined toward Leto’s point of view. Exactly how much should an actor have in common with the character they’re playing? How many boxes need to be checked? Acting is pretending to be something you’re not.
I, too, am going to take some time to crunch through all the brain cereal here.
There are so many IDEAS in this post’s comments section! Loves it!
Heh, there are, aren’t there? I’m fairly new to this site, but I have to say a good bit of the appeal is that there are so many bright, thoughtful people discussing the articles. It’s an interesting exception to “don’t read the comments.”
Mind blown. This is easily the most thought provoking and fascinating thread I have ever read on a gossip blog. That’s why I love CB so much. Thank you all so much for taking the time to articulate your opinions and educate those of us who hadn’t thought of the movie, or Rayon, in that way. I looked at the movie more from an “AIDS” standpoint, since I remember the beginning of the big AIDS scare that hit the fashion industry, hmmm…I believe it was the early 80’s? I was really young, but we were all afraid of AIDS. Much of my family worked in the fashion industry, so I was aware of family friends and colleagues disappearing from a horrible and mysterious disease.
To be honest, I hadn’t considered the transgender viewpoint of DBC beyond Leto’s performance. I’m a bit ashamed to say that now, in light of all I have learned. But the next time I see this movie, I will definitely have a new lens with which to view it.
I have much to learn, and much to mull over. Thank you.
I agree. This could have dissolved into a heap of nastiness and didn’t. Love it!!!
And I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a story about a woman who’s on a journey and exploring the possibility of becoming a transgendered man. It’s a real person I know but I’d take the journey elsewhere than what’s happened in real life (the seeds are a writers dream come true!). I know I don’t have the skills yet to write what I want but this discussion has given me lots of new information to incorporate. In fact, I found Janet Mock’s book and if it weren’t for @Mallory I wouldn’t have looked for it.
So I would like to say Thank You to everyone as well!
@LadySlippers
Glad to have helped.
@Mallory: Your arguments are very profound. Thank you for that.
@Mallory:
@EVERYONE:
Any resources you would recommend to look into for research on transgendered people? Please include any and everything. Especially if it includes mental illness.
Thank you in advance.
I think Leto is arogant and a little ego-maniac, maybe a toned down Kanye West, but he’s had a lot of contact with his fans while touring and if he really was a jerk he wouldn’t have been able to get this far. Of course, he’ll never ride the Lupita Nyong’o sympathy wave.
I saw a press conference where the director of DBC said Jared contacted him and flirted on Skype after his agent had offered his name. So basically no one thought of Leto for DBC, even though this is a very small movie. The boy wanted the part and made a play for it. Now he wants the Oscar and he’s making a play for it. Good for him, he is living proof that life does not end if you’re not George Clooney, Brad Pitt or Jennifer Lawrence. He’s a true hustler and that is something that all people should learn how to do…and hustlers know that life ain’t a fair game – ever!
I finally got to see DBC. Before seeing the movie I was thinking that Jared stole the movie but Matthew’s performance was by far the better of the two.
And Leto’s sweeping the awards circuit…hmmm, I don’t know.
The most gripping scenes by Leto are the ones where he visits his father and the scene where he broke down and cried when his friend was taking him to the hospital.
I’m with Kaiser, if the other nominees had “played the game a little bit” the supporting actor race would be looking different.
He’s definitely got a portrait hidden somewhere.
IKR.
Is it me or does he resemble Tom Hiddleston here, if Tom had long hair like that?
Odd.