Hollywood actors are slowly waking up and considering their film choices. They are now more aware about issues such as accurate gender depiction, racial injustice and the sentiments of LGBTQ community.
It is a known fact that the transgender community faced oppression from many years. Insensitive comments, cisgender actors playing transgender characters in films and a lack of concern for them has been a problem. This again came under light, when actor Halle Berry announced that she’s part of a film where she’ll be playing a transgender character.
The famous actor, while talking to hairstylist Christin Brown revealed this during an Instagram live chat. She said :
“(The film is about) a character where the woman is a trans character, so she’s a woman that transitioned into a man, She’s a character in a project I love that I might be doing.”
What followed after that, was a barrage of criticism, which she received from public on social media. The public criticism led her to exit the film and apologize. Recognizing her mistake, Halle posted a note on Twitter wherein, she apologized for her actions and promised people that she’ll do her part in accurate representation on and off-screen.
She posted the following note on Twitter :
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) July 7, 2020
Other actors who have played the role of a transgender despite being a cisgender are Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) and Eddie Redmayne(The Danish Girl).
Accurate representation of different communities has been an issue in Hollywood. Many films have been criticized for whitewashing and many actors too for inaccurately portraying characters belonging to different cultures.