Disclosure (2020)
Disclosure is a powerful documentary that premiered in 2020, shining a vital light on the way transgender people have been portrayed in film and television across the past century. Directed by Sam Feder and produced by Laverne Cox, the film goes beyond surface level criticism to explore how media representation has shaped public perception, reinforced stereotypes, and impacted the lives of trans people both on and off the screen.
Through a blend of archival footage and deeply personal interviews, Disclosure brings together voices from across the transgender community. Figures such as Laverne Cox, Jen Richards, Lilly Wachowski, and MJ Rodriguez share their experiences, reflecting on the pain of seeing themselves misrepresented, as well as the joy and power of moments where authentic representation broke through. Their stories reveal how cultural images are never neutral but carry consequences that ripple into real life—affecting everything from social acceptance to personal safety.
The documentary is especially striking in how it connects Hollywood history with the present. It revisits old films where trans characters were treated as punchlines or villains, and contrasts those images with today’s growing visibility of trans actors and creators. By doing so, the film highlights both how far the industry has come and how much further it still needs to go.
Visually restrained yet emotionally charged, Disclosure allows the words of its subjects to take center stage. It is not only a critique of an industry but also a celebration of resilience and the ongoing fight for authentic storytelling.
At its heart, Disclosure is a call to rethink who gets to tell stories and how those stories can either harm or heal. It is both an eye opening education for audiences and a landmark moment in the history of trans visibility in cinema.
