These men were played by actresses. The role change was really authentic

Cate Blanchett as Jude Quinn in I’m Not There (2007)

In the ambitious film “I’m Not There”, which is a poetic tribute to Bob Dylan, she surprised everyone with her role as Jude Quinn – one of six characters representing various aspects of Dylan’s life and work. In this role, Blanchett not only perfectly portrayed the male character, but she did it with such subtlety and understanding of Dylan that her performance is considered one of the most convincing of her career. Not only did she look like a young Dylan, but she also captured his musical soul, which earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination.

Tilda Swinton as Orlando in “Orlando” (1992)

in the film “Orlando”, based on the novel by Virginia Woolf, she played a character who literally undergoes a transformation from man to woman, living for four centuries. Swinton, known for her androgynous beauty and ability to blur gender boundaries in her performances, she fit this role perfectly. Her interpretation of Orlando was both sensual and reflective, giving viewers a deeper understanding of the fluidity of gender and time.

Krystyna Feldman as Nikifor in “Moj Nikifor” (2004)

in the Polish film “My Nikifor” she convincingly played the role of a real primitivist painter, Nikifor Krynicki. Feldman presented the character of a man surprisingly authentically, which is especially impressive considering that for most of the film the audience may not even realize that Nikifor is played by a woman. Her performance earned her a number of awards and critical acclaim.

My Nikifor Press materials

Linda Hunt as Billy Kwan in “The Year of Living Dangerously” (1982)

Linda Hunt played photographer Billy Kwan in the Australian socio-political drama The Year of Living Dangerously. Thanks to her performance, she won an Oscar becoming the first person to receive this award for playing a character of the opposite sex.

Hilary Swank as Brandon Teena in Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

In one of her most emotionally devastating roles, Hilary Swank portrayed the life of Brandon Teen, a young transgender man who fell victim to hate. While preparing for the role, the actress explored her character’s psyche and emotions, which earned her an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Swank not only conveyed the emotional complexity of her character, but also shed light on the difficulties and violence that transgender people face.

Elle Fanning as Ray in Three Generations (2015)

in the film “Three Generations” she played Ray, a teenager in the process of gender transition, which poses challenges not only to him, but to his entire family. Fanning presented the delicacy and complexity of the process of discovering one’s gender identity, providing viewers with a deeply human and moving insight into the lives of transgender people.