I just watched the Amazon steaming video Transparent and once again a non-trans-person plays the role of a trans-person. Surely they could have found some trans-person to play the part? Did they even look for someone to play Mort/Maura?
I’m not saying the show is not good or that Jeffrey Tambor didn’t do a wonderful job of acting, what I am saying is that when you have a part that calls for an ethnic or culture part it should be played by someone who is from that ethnicity or culture.
Do you remember the old westerns where the Native Americans were played by white actors? Can you imagine if a white person played Solomon Northup in “12 Years a Slave?” I’m not talking blackface, I just saying that a white person played Solomon Northup part, the part was written for a black person and should be played by a black; Mort/Maura was written as a trans-person, it should be played by a trans-actress.
I am also not saying that trans-actors/actresses can only play trans-characters, just like Asians or blacks or Latinos don’t just play ethnic characters but can also play other parts that are not specific ethnic characters. Trans-actors/actresses should be able to play other parts, which to my knowledge hasn’t happened.
Buzzfeed said this about the show,
I’m not saying the show is not good or that Jeffrey Tambor didn’t do a wonderful job of acting, what I am saying is that when you have a part that calls for an ethnic or culture part it should be played by someone who is from that ethnicity or culture.
Do you remember the old westerns where the Native Americans were played by white actors? Can you imagine if a white person played Solomon Northup in “12 Years a Slave?” I’m not talking blackface, I just saying that a white person played Solomon Northup part, the part was written for a black person and should be played by a black; Mort/Maura was written as a trans-person, it should be played by a trans-actress.
I am also not saying that trans-actors/actresses can only play trans-characters, just like Asians or blacks or Latinos don’t just play ethnic characters but can also play other parts that are not specific ethnic characters. Trans-actors/actresses should be able to play other parts, which to my knowledge hasn’t happened.
Buzzfeed said this about the show,
Transparent’s examination of fascinating yet mundane lives has, of course, a big twist driven by Mort as he tries to evolve into Maura. Tambor, who has been acting for television for 37 years, plays his patented unhinged, patrician dad type with a very different aim here. As a father at dinner with his kids, he can be shout-y; as Maura, he seems gentle, and his eyes are full of sadness. But also some hope.The show has been picked up by Amazon for the season. Will I watch it… yes, I just wish they had a trans-actress playing the part.
Transgender activists might well criticize casting Tambor, a cisgender actor, to play a trans character. Yet with the cultural and political climate for transgender people changing every day — as we see in wonderful ways with Laverne Cox’s ascent and in troubling ones with the insensitive, cruel coverage of whatever is happening with Bruce Jenner — Transparent feels contemporary and significant. More, please.
I have not had a chance to see the show yet but I have followed some of the comments, including your own, about casting Tambor for the role rather than a "T" person.
ReplyDeleteI think that the key is that the show is being picked up to continue. Having a known actor may have helped with getting the show picked up. If it was a not so well known "T" person they show may have had a pilot that went nowhere.
Also with the show picked up and the many comments that have been made the opportunity is strong that as Mort/Maura moves forward that he may encounter/befriend/associate with other "T" people and this with all of the comments about the merits of casting a "T" person in a "T" role we may see some movement along those lines.
Let's keep seeing this as a opportunity.
Pat