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The Silence of the Lambs may be one of the greatest films in its genre, but there are some criticisms about the film that still hold up 35 years after its release. While marking the monumental milestone of the cult classic, Ted Levine, the actor who played Buffalo Bill, spoke about the long-standing backlash from the transgender community.
Ted Levine discusses the depiction of gender identity in The Silence of the Lambs
Ted Levine spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his Oscar-winning classic, The Silence of the Lambs, and how one aspect of the film did not age well. “There are certain aspects of the movie that don’t hold up too well,” the actor said, “We all know more, and I’m a lot wiser about transgender issues. There are some lines in that script and movie that are unfortunate.”
The problems in the film were less acknowledged at the time of its release. But the audience and the people involved in the film now have a better understanding of the subject.
The film did not explicitly state that Bill was a transgender person. However, viewers have interpreted it that way over the years. Hence, many have also felt that the film has vilified stereotypes related to the transgender community.
“[It’s] just over time and having gotten aware and worked with trans folks, and understanding a bit more about the culture and the reality of the meaning of gender,” the actor continued. “It’s unfortunate that the film vilified that, and it’s f*cking wrong. And you can quote me on that.”
Adding about his performance, Levine explained, “I didn’t play him as being gay or trans. I think he was just a fucked-up heterosexual man. That’s what I was doing.”
Edward Saxon, Jonathan Demme’s producing partner, also spoke about this to THR. “We were really loyal to the book,” Saxon said. He added further, “As we made the film, there was just no question in our minds that Buffalo Bill was a completely aberrant personality — that he wasn’t gay or trans. He was sick.” Expanding on it, Levine said, “To that extent, we missed it. From my point of view, we weren’t sensitive enough to the legacy of a lot of stereotypes and their ability to harm.”
Saxon further claimed that he feels “regret” about it.
Despite the criticism on this particular front, The Silence of the Lambs remains one of the most important films in its genre.
