35 Years Later, Actors and Producers Involved in ‘Silence of the Lambs’ Lament Film’s ‘Insensitive’ Depiction of Transgender Villain

Thirty-five years after “The Silence of the Lambs” became a defining moment in cinema history, actor Ted Levine — along with others involved in the production — is re-evaluating the legacy of his role as serial killer Buffalo Bill in the film. In a candid reflection on the film’s lasting impact after more than a generation, Mr. Levine expressed regret regarding the movie’s depiction of gender identity, admitting that certain elements “don’t hold up too well.”Mr. Levine, who played the skin-harvesting antagonist Jame Gumb (known as Buffalo Bill), recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the long-standing criticism the film has received from the transgender community. While the character was not explicitly identified as transgender in the script, the portrayal — which involved cross-dressing and a desire to transform into a woman — has long been criticized as a harmful stereotype that vilified transgender people.“We all know more, and I’m a lot wiser about transgender issues,” Mr. Levine said. “There are some lines in that script and movie that are unfortunate.”Mr. Levine attributed his shift in perspective to personal growth and experience over the last three decades. “[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,” he said. The actor was blunt about the damage caused by the characterization, noting, “It’s unfortunate that the film vilified that, and it’s f****** wrong. And you can quote me on that.”Despite the public perception of the character, Mr. Levine later said he did not set out to portray a trans individual. “I didn’t play him as being gay or trans,” he said. “I think he was just a f***** up heterosexual man. That’s what I was doing.”Edward Saxon, the producing partner of the film’s late director Jonathan Demme, also addressed the controversy. He told The Hollywood Reporter that at the time of production, the filmmakers viewed the character’s behavior as a symptom of severe mental illness rather than a statement on gender identity.“We were really loyal to the book. 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,” Mr. Saxon said.However, he acknowledged that the production team failed to recognize the potential for harm. “He was sick. 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,” Mr. Saxon said.Mr. Saxon insisted that while there is regret today, there was no ill intent during filming. “There’s regret, but it didn’t come from any place of malice. It actually came from a place of seeing this guy… from a place of an incredibly sick pathology,” he said.Despite the modern scrutiny, the film, which starred Jodie Foster as FBI agent Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins as serial killer Hannibal Lecter, remains a massive cultural touchstone. Released on Valentine’s Day in 1991, it won the “big five” Oscars – Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay (Original or Adapted). The film is based on a 1988 book by Thomas Harris.

35 Years Later, Actors and Producers Involved in ‘Silence of the Lambs’ Lament Film’s ‘Insensitive’ Depiction of Transgender Villain

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