Poof Piece No. 9: Cis, Are You Even Queer?
We’re in a time where more and more LGBTQIA+ content is being commissioned and critically celebrated with the likes of; All of Us Strangers, Love Lies Bleeding, Tár, Bottoms and Call Me By Your Name. I think it’s fabulous! However, there also comes a point where the straight actors need to think, “should I perhaps sit this one out?”.
My opinion has always been that I’m happy for cis-straight actors to play queer roles should queer actors be given the same opportunities to play straight. Until then, I believe that these roles should ultimately go to the queer talent who’re already patiently or impatiently waiting by stage left.
Yes, It’s a difficult conversation as some of my favourite queer films of late were ones where straight actors have been number one on the call sheet. We get it, it’s a gorgeous story, the-straight-leads-who-are-gay-for-pay are charming, and they did a great job! It’s just when they continuously make the choice to attach themselves to queer projects that begs the question…Do you genuinely believe that you, a straight person is the best person for this role?
I watched Challengers last night which I loved, it was very Luca; sexy, tense, a love story where its themes; relatable, morally questionable yet endearing are shot beautifully within a gorgeous 120 minutes. Admittedly, I fell in love all over again with Josh O’Connor whom, I first saw in Gods Own Country. So, naturally after I watched the film, I pranced home to research all creatives involved and see what’s next for them. When it came to researching O’Connor, I stumbled across an article by Style Caster that read:
“The actor has played several characters who identify in the LGBTQ+ community in shows and movies like Hide and Seek, Peaky Blinders, God’s Own Country, The Colour of His Hair, and Bonus Track”.
Not to mention, two queer films that are currently in production, one being Camere Separate directed by Challenger’s, Luca Guadagnino and The History of Sound starring alongside another serial offender yet, total sweetheart, Paul Mescal. O’Connor was asked in this interview whether he feels it’s okay for straight actors to play queer roles and his answer was “I don’t know”. To which I ask, “If that’s your answer, then perhaps…don’t do it?”.
Look, I don’t dislike those who do it, I think they’re talented however, if you’re not a part of the community and attach yourself to numerous queer projects, or don’t feel comfortable to share your own personal queer experiences then respectfully, step to the side and let an out queer person take your place. I promise you’ll be fine and you’ll still get work.
There’s beauty when you find queer actors within queer films as your heart deepens because there’s more at stake, as you understand that this performer knows firsthand what it’s like to experience this. Take, Netflix’s Baby Reindeer for example, where the character of Teri was played exquisitely by Trans actress, Nava Mau. The honesty and vulnerability that Nava was able to bring to that role was mesmerising and all the more devastating. Or, Andrew Scott, in All Of Us Strangers where his performance left me weeping six times during and after the film.
It may seem dubious to our cis-heterosexual counterparts but, for me when you witness queer humans within queer films, it brings forward emotions that I’ve previously buried deep as now, I have hope…which is more than any creative would want when sharing their art with the world and with the audience it was perhaps intended for.
Love,
Sandy