Back in August 2015 we got the first trailer for a trans-themed movie called About Ray, which was supposed to be released not long afterwards in the US. However, then it dropped off the release schedule. There was also a slightly tepid reception at film festivals and anger among some that a female-to-male trans teenager was being played by a cisgender actor, Elle Fanning.

However, now it’s back on the radar, with a new title – 3 Generations – and a new trailer. It’s also got The Weinstein Company (TWC) revved up to fight the fact it’s been given an ‘R’ rating by the MPAA. The US certification body cited language including some sexual references behind the decision.

TWC has enlisted the help of top lawyer David Boies to advise on their dissent. Largely known for his pivotal role to overturn Proposition 8, California’s discriminatory ban on gay marriage, back in 2009, Boies has consulted on numerous human rights issues for TWC, including censorship of the Academy Award nominated film Carol, as well as a previous protest of the rating of the documentary Bully, which successfully fought to lower its rating from R to PG-13.

Executive producer Naomi Watts, who stars in the film as Ray’s mother Maggie, comments: “This film is a beautiful and touching story about family and identity. It is important for teenagers to see it and the R Rating doesn’t reflect today’s society. 3 Generations doesn’t have a bad bone in its body, it’s an expression of love, acceptance, strength, and honesty, values that could not be more necessary right now.”

However, the less charitable may see this social justice fight as a way to distract from the criticism the movie has received due to the cast of Elle Fanning, as well as to help link it to the current fights of trans teens such as Gavin Grimm and Mack Beggs.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘3 GENERATIONS tells the stirring and touching story of three generations of a family living under one roof in New York as they deal with the life-changing transformation by one that ultimately affects them all. Ray (Elle Fanning) is a teenager who has struggled with the body assigned to him at birth and is determined to start transitioning. His single mother, Maggie (Naomi Watts), must track down Ray’s biological father (Tate Donovan) to get his legal consent to allow Ray’s transition. Dolly (Susan Sarandon), Ray’s lesbian grandmother is having a hard time accepting that she now has a grandson. They must each confront their own identities and learn to embrace change and their strength as a family in order to ultimately find acceptance and understanding.’

The film will be released in LA & New York on May 5th. Take a look at the new trailer below. [Read more…]

There are quite a few high-profile LGBT-themed films starring well-known actors coming out before the end of the year, including Freeheld (starring Ellen Page and Julianne Moore) and Stonewall (with Jeremy Irvine). There’s also About Ray, starring Elle Fanning, Naomi Watts and Susan Sarandon, which we haven’t heard as much about, until now with the arrival of a trailer.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘About Ray tells the stirring and touching story of three generations of a family living under one roof in New York as they must deal with the life-changing transformation by one that ultimately affects them all. Ray (Elle Fanning) is a teenager who has come to the realization that she isn’t meant to be a girl and has decided to transition from female to male. His single mother, Maggie (Naomi Watts), must track down Ray’s biological father (Tate Donovan) to get his legal consent to allow Ray’s transition. Dolly (Susan Sarandon), Ray’s lesbian grandmother is having a hard time accepting that she now has a grandson. They must each confront their own identities and learn to embrace change and their strength as a family in order to ultimately find acceptance and understanding.’

As with the arguments raging over whether Stonewall will erase the contribution of trans* and people of color in the 1969 Stonewall riots, there are bound to be questions about a cisgender person playing a trans* character in About Ray, especially at a time of increasing awareness in the mainstream of transgender people. We will have to see what people have to see whe it arrives in US cinemas in September. [Read more…]