Films about “passing” delve into the concept of individuals presenting themselves as part of an identity group to which they do not belong biologically or culturally. This theme is intricate, often touching on issues of race, gender, class, and identity. Such films explore the personal and societal implications of passing, challenging viewers to consider the fluidity of identity and the complexities of living in between or across traditional categories. Here are some films that tackle the theme of passing in various ways:
“Imitation of Life”, 1959
Director: Douglas Sirk
A classic melodrama that delves into the lives of two women and their daughters, focusing particularly on Sarah Jane, a light-skinned Black girl who attempts to pass as white to escape racial prejudice. This film explores the emotional and social consequences of racial passing.
Starring: Lana Turner, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, Robert Alda, Dan O'Herlihy, Karin Dicker, Terry Burnham, Sandra Gould, Juanita Moore;
Production year: 1959;
Genre: drama;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Imitation of Life” on the website imdb.com
“Pink Narcissus”, 1971
Director: James Bidgood
Though not about racial passing, this avant-garde film delves into the fantasy world of a gay male escort who daydreams about different worlds and identities, exploring themes of sexual identity and the fluidity of the self.
Starring: Don Brooks, Bobby Kendall, Charles Ludlam;
Production year: 1971;
Genre: fantasy, drama;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 65 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Pink Narcissus” on the website imdb.com
“The Crying Game”, 1992
Director: Neil Jordan
This film touches upon the theme of passing in terms of gender identity. It tells the story of a British soldier kidnapped by IRA terrorists who befriends his captor and is drawn into a complex web of lies, love, and identity.
Starring: Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, Jaye Davidson, Forest Whitaker, Adrian Dunbar, Breffni McKenna, Joe Savino, Birdy Sweeney, Andrée Bernard, Jim Broadbent;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Crying Game” on the website imdb.com
“Boys Don't Cry”, 1999
Director: Kimberly Peirce
Based on a true story, this film follows the life of Brandon Teena, a transgender man navigating life and love in rural Nebraska, where he tries to pass as a male until his secret is tragically exposed.
Starring: Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alicia Goranson, Alison Folland, Jeanetta Arnette, Rob Campbell, Matt McGrath, Cheyenne Rushing;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama, melodrama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Boys Don't Cry” on the website imdb.com
“Far from Heaven”, 2002
Director: Todd Haynes
Although not explicitly about passing in the traditional sense, this film explores the constraints of social roles and identities in 1950s America, including a closeted gay husband and an interracial romance that defies the racial boundaries of the time.
Starring: Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis, James Rebhorn, Bette Henritze, Michael Gaston, Ryan Ward, Lindsay Andretta;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Far from Heaven” on the website imdb.com
“Passing”, 2021
Director: Rebecca Hall
Based on the 1929 novel by Nella Larsen, this film explicitly addresses the concept of racial passing. It tells the story of two African American women, one of whom passes for white, exploring themes of identity, obsession, and the complexities of racial identity in 1920s New York.
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland, Bill Camp, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Alexander Skarsgård, Justus Davis Graham, Ethan Barrett, Ashley Ware Jenkins;
Production year: 2021;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Passing” on the website imdb.com
Conclusively, films about passing transcend mere storytelling, offering profound reflections on identity, society, and the human condition. These narratives challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about race, gender, sexuality, and class, illuminating the intricate ways in which systems of oppression operate and intersect. More than just entertainments or historical artifacts, these films serve as critical lenses through which we can examine and understand the complexities of passing. They impel audiences to question not only the authenticity of the identity performances they see on screen but also those enacted in everyday life. By delving into the lives of characters who navigate the perilous waters of passing, these films foster empathy, awareness, and a deeper appreciation for the courage it takes to live authentically in a world that often demands conformity. In doing so, they not only enrich our cinematic experience but also contribute to an ongoing dialogue about identity, belonging, and the transformative power of film.
