Summary
Alicia Vikander reflects onThe Danish Girlnine years since it was released in theaters, offering an honest response to its poor casting choices while highlighting the positive impact the movie has had. Starring Vikander and Eddie Redmayne, the 2015 biographical drama told the story of artists Gerda Wegener and Lili Elbe, as the latter comes out as transgender and embarks on a journey to be true to herself in 1920s Europe. WhileThe Danish Girlwas a criticaland box office success that netted several award nominations, casting decisions and historical inaccuracies brought the movie under scrutiny.
As nine years have almost passed sinceThe Danish Girlopened in theaters, Vikander opened up toThe Guardianabout its complicated legacy. Vikander stated that the film had made poor casting choices, agreeing with co-star Redmayne that Lili should have been played by a trans actress, though she also highlighted how the movie has led to people discussing with her how it helped them come out as transgender and live their own lives. Check out Vikander’s full response below:
It’s incredible – only a few years after that film came out, it’s become quite dated… People who have been transitioning, trans men and women that I met – it’s been nice to hear that some had used the film as a way in, to show their parents. If it could be part of that discussion, it’s wonderful.”
What Were The Casting Issues Surrounding The Danish Girl?
Hollywood has a history of excluding transgender individuals from trans roles and stories.
Despite the real-world positive impact that Vikander described, it is hard to deny thatThe Danish Girlhad played into poor casting practices employed in Hollywood, even if the filmmakers behind the feature had the best intentions. While features includingThe Danish Girl,The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, andDallas Buyers Clubhave featured key trans characters, these roles were portrayed by cisgender men. Even with positive, fully fleshed-out representations of the trans community and their lives, transgender performers have been excluded from telling relevant stories in favor of casting established cis stars.
10 Times Trans Actors Actually Played Trans Characters
From Hunter Schafer In Euphoria to Jen Richards In Mrs. Fletcher, here are 10 instances where a trans character was actually played by a trans actor.
However, through criticisms ofThe Danish Girland other features, as well as other issues surrounding casting transgender individuals in Hollywood productions, the industry is taking positive steps. Not only has there been a more careful effort to cast transgender men and women when telling their stories, but trans stars have been cast in key roles, such as Hunter Schaffer inEuphoriaandThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Hari Neff inBarbie, andAbigail Thorn inHouse of the DragonandThe Acolyte. At a time when the community needs support, trans visibility is vital in creating a more accepting world.
Despite its award season legacy and emphatic portrayal of a transgender woman’s life,The Danish Girlmay never shake off its complicated place in Hollywood’s history of handling LGBTQ+ stories. While not as prominent in discussions as they would become in later years, the issues surrounding casting cis stars in transgender roles were still well-known during the feature’s production, muddying whatever intentions the individuals behind the feature may have had. Despite this, Vikander’s acceptance of its complex legacy and highlighting of its real-world impact does show, despite missteps, lessons are being learned in creating a welcome, accepting industry.
The Danish Girl
Cast
Based on the life of Danish painter Lili Elbe, The Danish Girl stars Eddie Redmayne as Elbe, who as a trans woman in the 1920s was among the first individuals to receive gender-affirming surgery. The film chronicles Lili’s transition, assisted by her wife and fellow artist, Gerda Wegener. Alicia Vikander, Ben Whishaw, Sebastian Koch, and Amber Heard also star.
