Trans film starring Elle Fanning and Susan Sarandon finally set to come out
A new trailer for trans film Three Generations has come out, as the film finally approaches its release date.
The film, which stars Elle Fanning, Naomi Watts and Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, charts the journey of Fanning’s Ray as he starts the journey to physically transitioning into a boy.
Fanning’s character lives in New York City with his single mother Maggie, played by Watts, and lesbian grandmother Dolly, played by Sarandon.
Originally screened under the name About Ray at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2015, the film was pulled from schedules just days before its slated release date.
Director Gaby Dellal revealed a year ago on Instagram that the second version of the film had been finished.
It will now be released to US audiences on May 5th, under Three Generations – the name it had before it switched to About Ray.
In an emotive trailer, Fanning’s character admits: “The hardest part of my day is knowing everyone still sees me as a girl.”
Dolly gives voice to stereotypes people typically vocalise about trans people: that there must be an alternative to transitioning, and that they’re actually confused about their sexuality.
“Why can’t she just be a lesbian?” Sarandon sighs, much to her daughter’s frustration, adding, despite her objections: “I still vote lesbian.”
But a more difficult obstacle emerges halfway through the trailer.
Ray’s dad, who left him and Maggie soon after his son was born, has to sign the papers for the transition to go ahead.
“She’s just a kid. What if she changes her mind?” Tate Donovan, who plays the dad, says.
When the cisgender Fanning was cast in the role in 2015, many activists criticised the choice because of its lack of authenticity, as well as its erasure of a rare opportunity for a trans actor to star in a film.
One activist reasoned: “For many trans actors, trans roles are the only roles they will ever get.”
Sarandon announced last year she had plans to make female-friendly adult films.
The actress, who plays a lesbian in this film, said her sexual orientation was “up for grabs” earlier this year, before suggesting that she never really had the chance to properly explore her sexuality.
Watch the trailer for Three Generations here:
