Many poignant films in international cinema have depicted issues of sexual identity disorders. Interestingly, Indian cinema has largely made spoofs out of the issue. All the three Khans have dressed as women at least once in their careers- Aamir Khan in ‘Baazi’, SRK in ‘Duplicate’ and Salman Khan in ‘Hum Apke Hain Kaun’. Kamal Haasan’s ‘Chachi 420’, which was a remake of Robin Williams’ ‘Mrs Doubtfire’, was heart-wrenching. We take a look at how international cinema has, over the years, sensitively explored this issue of gender-swapping.
‘Baran’ (2001)
The Iranian language film narrates the story of 17-year-old Lateef who works in a construction site of Tehran. Lateef falls in love with Rahmat. That’s after he discovers Rahmat, who he thought as a boy, is actually a girl in disguise. The moment of discovery, when Lateef watches Rahmat brushing her long hair, remains one of the most poignant moments of world cinema.
‘Albert Nobbs’ (2011)
The film narrates the story of two women living as men in 19th century Ireland. Glenn Close’s Albert and Janet Mcteer’s Hubart brought them the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominations at the 84th Academy Awards respectively.
‘Shakespeare In Love’ (1998)
When the young and struggling playwright, William Shakespeare suffers a writer’s block. He auditions for an actor playing the role of Romeo in an unfinished play titled ‘Romeo and Juliet’. The selected actor, Thomas Kent, is actually Viola in disguise of a man. The movie won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actress (Gwyneth Paltrow as Thomas Kent and Viola) and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth I).
‘Osama’ (2003)
The Persian language film is about a girl living in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. She disguises herself as a boy, Osama, to support her family. ‘Osama’ is heart-wrenching story of the tragedy called life and is symbolic of what many girls go through in Afghanistan.
‘The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things’ (2004)
‘The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things’ (2004)
This is a story of a disturbing relationship between a drug-addict mother and her abused son, who is forced to be a cross-dresser in order to keep his mother’s love life alive.
‘Boys Don’t Cry’ (1999)
Few can forget Hilary Swank in an Oscar-winning role of a real-life character, Brandon Teena. Brandon was biologically born a girl but was identified as inter-sexed. She was romantically involved with another girl until her male acquaintances that discovered he was anatomically a girl. They then abused, raped and murdered her. The film explores the themes of freedom, courage, identity and empowerment.