Casa Susanna

2022

1h 37m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

History

List

86%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

100%

Audience Score

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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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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Camilla Long

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

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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

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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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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
Runtime: 1h 37m

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