In the end, Jordan refused to let Dil be passive - as the film drew to a close, she became a force to be reckoned with, and her actions propelled the film to its shocking climax. Jordan and Davidson planted Dil in reality as well the daily traumas of living as a trans woman in early-'90s London could be measured in the lounge singer's muted voice, tired eyes, and, at times, resigned attitude. The idea that men would risk their lives for a trans woman - and not abuse or mock her - was a twist in and of itself, and her happy ending was even more surprising. Portrayed with subtlety and grace by now-retired gay actor Jaye Davidson, Dil was a tragic figure but not a comical one, a revolutionary idea in 1992.
While some complained that Dil's trans identity was a "gotcha" twist, she remained the heroine of the movie up until the final scene. Spoiler alert: That the central love story was between a cisgender straight man and a transgender woman only added to the complexities of the film. But writer-director Neil Jordan wasn't content with the usual fare - he crafted a potboiler firmly centered by a very human relationship and, in effect, made the stakes that much higher. This story of a rogue IRA operative trying to put his past behind him had enough action to stand on its own as a standard political thriller like Patriot Games or The Russia House. The Crying Game (directed by Neil Jordan, 1992)
Here are the films - all part of the Metrograph series - that left a mark on us. Metrograph, the New York independent film house, is honoring the New Queer Cinema movement of the '90s with a month of screenings that includes Gia, Trick, Nowhere, Ma Vie en Rose, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Filmmakers like Pedro Almodóvar, Todd Haynes, Rose Troche, Gus Van Sant, Gregg Araki, and Cheryl Dunye made work that endures, and many launched successful mainstream careers. From big-budget fare like The Birdcage, In & Out, and The Crying Game to small films that shook the establishment like Boys Don't Cry, Go Fish, and The Doom Generation, the stories of LGBT life were relatively easy to find in big-city art houses and small-town video stores (just make sure no one saw you with that copy of To Wong Foo or Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss). So pop the popcorn, pour the wine, and smash that play button, 'cause you've got some serious watching to do.In a decade that began with a Bush in office and closed not long after Matthew Shepard's death, it's still shocking how many high-quality queer films the 1990s produced. And to be clear, none of these movies are perfect representations, but they're a start, and the best part of all is that you can stream them all right this very second. Each story offers different insights into the LGBTQ+ community. These queer films, in no particular order, are some of the best that have premiered over the decades. Representation matters, ya'll! And having all of these stories that anyone can relate to but told with queer voices is a big part of making sure the film industry is on its way to becoming more inclusive. These movies all share super important stories that need to be told from the LGBTQ+ perspective, from the coming-of-age experience, to exploring sexuality and gender identity, to falling in love and the pain of heartbreak. But thankfully, there are a number of movies that do a really great job of celebrating the life and culture of the community. When it comes to accurately representing members of the LGBTQ+ community in media, the film industry as a whole still has a looooong way to go.