When it comes to trans visibility and providing more opportunities for trans artists in the film industry, we often talk about allowing trans actors to play trans roles. In the film “Together Together,” however, trans comedian Patti Harrison plays a non-trans role—something that actors’ unions have been clamoring for for years.
In “Together Together,” Harrison plays a cis woman named Anna who is hired as a gestational surrogate by Matt. Matt, played by Ed Helms (“The Hangover”), is a single man in his 40s who wants a child. The two build an unexpected (spoiler alert: platonic) relationship that will “quickly challenge their perceptions of connection, boundaries and the particulars of love.” Today, May 12, you can start streaming the film on digital platforms such as Apple TV and Google Play.
Harrison opened up about taking on the role in an interview with The Advocate. “I want to be in a movie that has a good script like this. This is a sweet story, I love it, so I’m just gonna do it. I think that in and of itself is political agency and political power… within an industry that is so hell-bent on typecasting and stereotyping people,” she said.
Out Magazine also highlighted the movie’s impact: “It marks the first time a trans actress has starred in a movie as a cis woman, and Harrison does such a great job there should never be a question on whether trans actors can play cis roles ever again.”
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Though the Sundance Film Festival entry is probably going to make us tear up, you can also expect a couple of laughs considering it has a comic-filled roster. Joining Harrison and Helms in the film are lesbian icon Tig Notaro (who looked super hot in the latest “Army of the Dead” trailer, btw) and our fave gay Latino comedian Julio Torres (“Saturday Night Live”).
If you’re looking for the next film for your barkada movie night, this is it.
Photo courtesy of the “Together Together” website
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