Elle Fanning's Three Generations Movie Is Targeting Young Audiences

The trans teen drama Three Generations starring Ellen Fanning finally got its release date. The movie will hit theaters on May 5 after 20 months in a limbo. After being categorized as R-rated, The Weinstein Company is fighting to get a PG-13 rating and assure the movie’s message gets to the teens.

A new title, new trailer. and a new date

In September 2015, The Weinstein Company pulled out the movie just three days before its scheduled released with the title About Ray and failed to give a new release date.

Three Generations premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and evoked a standing ovation from viewers. It was also picked up for the Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Gaby Dellal and starring Elle Fanning, Naomi Watts, and Susan Sarandon.Now, 20 months after being in a limbo the movie finally has a new release date, a new trailer, and a new name. Dellal announced they added footage to the film as well as changed the music and worked on the movie’s humor to make it more a drama.

Three Generations is scheduled to hit theaters on May 5th in Los Angeles and New York and quickly spread nationwide.The movie is also opening the Bentonville Film Festival on May 2. The festival looks to showcase films that champion women and diverse voices in media.

Three Generations

The story follows Elle Fanning as a trans teen named Ray, who decides to transition from female to male. Her mother, portrayed by Naomi Watts, and grandmother, Susan Sarandon, assist her during the transition.The new trailer reveals new info on the storyline. We can see Ray and his mom have a very close relationship and his mom is supportive of the decision.

We can also see that Ray’s grandmother is a lesbian and has a girlfriend, and it not so sure about the surgery. There’s also the fact that Ray’s doctor requires his father’s consent to perform the surgery and so Ray reaches out to him.

According to the film’s director, the story is about exploring challenges and changes in the family and in the culture. She said, “Harvey’s enthusiasm and support have allowed us to release this poignant film at a time when we all need to believe in our collective strength.”

However, Three Generations is challenging the Motion Picture Association of America and trying to get a PG-13 category. The movie was R rated for “language and some sexual references.” The film’s makers and stars consider important for young people to see the film.

Susan Sarandon stated, “3 Generations is an important movie for everyone to see, especially transgender youth who are feeling isolated or fearful and their families.”

Naomi Watts, star and producer of the film said, “This story loudly and bravely advocates for acceptance, both of others and of oneself. It’s a message we all believe in and are all incredibly proud to share this story with audiences, now more than ever.”

Controversy and critic

Unfortunately, despite the rating it receives, the movie is more likely to attract controversy over the fact that it casts a cisgender person in a transgender role.

Director Gaby Dellal was heavy criticized due to this since some people consider it’s denying trans actors the opportunities to tell their own stories.

People were not really happy with Dellal’s justification on Elle’s casting under the bid name excuse. During an interview, the director said, “I would never discriminate against a trans kid or actor coming up to audition, but in this day and age in cinema, where it’s almost impossible to raise the financing, unfortunately, we have to have some people that mean a certain amount of money.”

Then Dellal claimed that since Ray is just beginning the transition it needed to be a girl and said, “The part is a girl and she is a girl who is presenting in a very ineffectual way as a boy. She’s not pretending to have a deeper voice. She’s just a girl who is being herself and is chasing the opportunity to start hormone treatment. So to actually use a trans boy was not an option because this isn’t what my story is about.”

Finally, the director was criticized for the way she discussed the trans character in the press since she used female pronouns to refer to Ray’s character.People considered Dellal didn’t really make the mark not only to discuss the film but to present the storyline and therefore the whole reality regarding trans people.

Despite critics, the director hopes to create a social impact with the film, educate and open minds to the various struggles young trans people face.