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Casa Susanna

Play trailer Poster for Casa Susanna 2022 1h 37m Documentary LGBTQ+ History Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
86% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 100% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In the 1950s and ‘60s, an underground network of transgender women and cross-dressing men found refuge at a modest house in the Catskills region of New York. Known as Casa Susanna, the house provided a safe place for them to express their true selves and live for a few days as they had always dreamed—dressed as women without fear of being incarcerated or institutionalized for their self-expression. Told through the memories of those whose visits to the house would change their lives, the film provides a look back at a secret world where the persecuted and frightened found freedom, acceptance and, often, the courage to live their lives out of the shadows.
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Casa Susanna

Casa Susanna

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Critics Consensus

As a time capsule, Casa Susanna captures a trans community in need of a home to thrive in while expanding, albeit narrowly, on queer history.

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Critics Reviews

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Camilla Long The Times (UK) We learn very little about the women whose lives were ruined too. What about their stories — the constant pandering that meant you had to sit there meekly or move home? Feb 9, 2023 Full Review Rebecca Nicholson Guardian These are human tales of strengths and weaknesses, triumphs and flaws, and they are handled by director Sébastien Lifshitz with great care and sensitivity. Rated: 4/5 Jan 31, 2023 Full Review Drew Gregory Autostraddle Lifshitz gives too much screen time to cis relatives, fails to lead his trans subjects toward anything more than broad strokes, and ends up with a film that over-explains basics of transness more than it delivers this history to its own community. Sep 25, 2022 Full Review Avaryl Halley Movie Bitches The photographs alone are worth the price of admission Apr 24, 2024 Full Review Kathi Wolfe Washington Blade Casa Susanna is a fascinating window into hidden queer history. Jun 29, 2023 Full Review Shane Slater Awards Radar Lifshitz truly crafts an illuminating film filled with many insightful details. Rated: 3/4 Dec 29, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Teresa A I was so moved, saddened and encouraged by this documentary. So much about it relates to today when transgender people are being so unfairly targeted. One would think that our country would be moving forward instead of regressing in such a jarring, mind numbing fashion. These trans women were pioneers and I so admire them in finding themselves. It had to be such a lonely feeling to not know anyone until they were able to find one another. I highly recommend this film. If more people would watch films like this then maybe more people would show a lot more compassion toward others period. The film was a very gentle look into their lives and the lives of their families. Very well done. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Casa Susanna

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Cast & Crew

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Sébastien Lifshitz

Director

Sébastien Lifshitz

Writer

Gaetan Rousseau

Executive Producer

Paul Guilhaume

Cinematographer

Tina Baz

Film Editing

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Casa Susanna

Casa Susanna (2022) Casa Susanna (2022) Casa Susanna (2022) Casa Susanna (2022) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1950s and ‘60s, an underground network of transgender women and cross-dressing men found refuge at a modest house in the Catskills region of New York. Known as Casa Susanna, the house provided a safe place for them to express their true selves and live for a few days as they had always dreamed—dressed as women without fear of being incarcerated or institutionalized for their self-expression. Told through the memories of those whose visits to the house would change their lives, the film provides a look back at a secret world where the persecuted and frightened found freedom, acceptance and, often, the courage to live their lives out of the shadows.
Director
Sébastien Lifshitz
Screenwriter
Sébastien Lifshitz
Production Co
Agat Films & Cie - Ex Nihilo
Genre
Documentary, LGBTQ+, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (TV)
Jun 27, 2023
Runtime
1h 37m
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