Director: Sébastien Lifshitz
Release Year: 2022
Synopsis:
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and recognition of trans history, with many works shining a light on the stories of trans individuals who lived in a world that was far less accepting of them than the one we know today. One such poignant work is Sébastien Lifshitz's "Casa Susanna" (2022), a documentary that takes us into a hidden chapter of American trans history during the 1950s and 1960s. The film focuses on Casa Susanna, a clandestine retreat in upstate New York that became a sanctuary for trans women and cross-dressing men seeking refuge from a world that ostracized them. Through a combination of archival materials, intimate interviews, and reflective nostalgia, Lifshitz crafts a moving and significant portrayal of this forgotten community.
The documentary centers on Casa Susanna, a Victorian house tucked away in the Catskills, a haven that catered to a vibrant yet largely invisible group of individuals—heterosexual men who liked to cross-dress and trans women who sought a space where they could express their gender identity without fear of persecution. The story of Casa Susanna is not only about the house itself, but also about the individuals who visited and found solace there at a time when gender nonconformity was not just taboo, but dangerous.
The retreat was founded by Susanna (also known as Tito) and her wife Maria, who began hosting gatherings for cross-dressing men and transgender women in the late 1950s. While Susanna marketed the space as a sanctuary for men who liked to cross-dress, many of the women who attended identified as transgender, and the retreat thus became one of the earliest and most important informal safe spaces for a marginalized community that had no official terminology or recognition.
In many ways, Casa Susanna represents an oasis of acceptance in a hostile world. For the people who attended, it was a place where they could experience something rare: the chance to be themselves, without fear of ridicule, ostracism, or violence. It was a space where personal expression—through clothing, makeup, and performance—was not only accepted but celebrated. The house hosted drag performances, photo shoots, and social events that allowed participants to create and live out their femme identities, if only for brief, fleeting weekends.
Lifshitz’s documentary is built upon the personal recollections of two key figures, Kate and Diana, now in their eighties. Both women were part of the Casa Susanna community in its heyday and provide invaluable eyewitness accounts of their experiences. Through their stories, we gain insight into the unique and complex nature of gender identity in a time when the terms we use today—such as "transgender" or "nonbinary"—were not yet in common use. For Kate and Diana, the struggle to understand their own identities in the context of the social and political environment of the 1950s and 1960s was fraught with confusion, fear, and isolation.
Diana recalls how she first learned about Christine Jorgensen, the first American woman to undergo sex reassignment surgery, through newspaper headlines. At the time, the revelation of Jorgensen’s transition caused a stir, but it also gave Diana a sense of hope—knowing that there was someone else in the world who understood her experience. Like many trans people, Diana spent years feeling alone, unaware that there were others like her.
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The discovery of Casa Susanna was a life-changing moment, as it marked the beginning of her journey toward self-acceptance and understanding.
Kate, too, reflects on her own journey and the sense of community she found at Casa Susanna. For her, the retreat was not just about cross-dressing; it was a place where she could explore her gender identity and connect with others who were navigating similar experiences. In an era when gender nonconformity was stigmatized and criminalized, these gatherings were more than just social events—they were acts of resistance, solidarity, and self-expression.
The film also introduces us to other former attendees and family members who reflect on the legacy of Casa Susanna. Gregory, the step-grandson of Susanna, shares his memories of visiting the house and learning about his step-grandmother’s identity as a trans woman. His perspective offers a unique insight into the intergenerational impact of Casa Susanna and the ways in which gender identity is understood and negotiated within families.
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At the heart of "Casa Susanna" is the tension between visibility and violence. For the individuals who visited the retreat, the opportunity to be seen as their true selves was both a joyous and dangerous act. The documentary opens with archival news footage that illustrates the harshness of the public gaze on trans women during this time. The footage shows a group of women being interrogated by a male journalist, who gleefully points out that they are all "breaking the law" by defying traditional gender norms. This kind of invasive, patronizing curiosity was common for trans individuals at the time, and it highlights the constant threat of violence, legal persecution, and social ostracization that many faced.
The issue of visibility is a central theme in the film. While Casa Susanna offered a brief respite from the outside world, it also posed a dilemma for its attendees: could they fully embrace their identities in a society that refused to acknowledge them? For some, the retreat was a necessary and liberating experience; for others, it was a reminder of the risks that came with stepping outside the boundaries of accepted gender norms. This dichotomy—between the freedom to express oneself and the threat of violence for doing so—resonates powerfully today, as trans individuals continue to fight for recognition and rights in a world where anti-trans violence and discrimination are still rampant.
The film also highlights the importance of community and solidarity in the face of adversity. Despite the dangers they faced, the people of Casa Susanna found ways to support each other, offering not just friendship, but a sense of family and belonging. This theme is explored in depth through the recollections of Kate and Diana, whose bonds of friendship were forged in a place where acceptance was hard to come by, and the shared experience of being gender nonconforming allowed them to create a supportive network that transcended the limitations of time and circumstance.
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"Casa Susanna" is not just a documentary about the past; it is a film that invites us to reflect on the evolution of trans identity and its representation. By documenting the lives of individuals who lived through a period of extreme invisibility and repression, Lifshitz offers a nuanced exploration of how trans identity has evolved over time. The film’s portrayal of cross-dressers and transgender women during the 1950s and 1960s complicates the contemporary understanding of gender and identity, challenging us to think about how these identities have been shaped by societal forces and how they continue to evolve.
The film’s use of archival photographs from the Casa Susanna weekends adds a layer of poignancy, allowing the audience to see how the attendees presented themselves, often in elaborate outfits and makeup, as they celebrated their femme identities. These photographs are not just historical artifacts; they are evidence of a vibrant, albeit hidden, community that existed before the modern LGBTQ+ movement took hold. The film also challenges contemporary notions of what it means to be trans by allowing its subjects to define their own experiences and identities, without imposing modern labels or expectations on them.
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In its quiet yet powerful way, "Casa Susanna" is a testament to the resilience of trans individuals and their ability to find joy, community, and self-expression even in the most challenging of circumstances. The film avoids the trap of sensationalism, instead focusing on the personal stories of those who lived through a time when being trans was not just difficult but often life-threatening. By centering these voices, Lifshitz offers a rich and multifaceted portrayal of a community that was far ahead of its time, laying the groundwork for the acceptance and visibility that many trans individuals enjoy today.
As we watch Kate and Diana, now elderly women, reflect on their lives, we are reminded that the struggle for trans rights is ongoing. The battles they fought in the past are still being fought today, in a world where transphobia, discrimination, and violence continue to plague many trans individuals. "Casa Susanna" is not just a documentary about the past; it is a call to action, urging us to recognize the contributions of those who came before us and to continue fighting for a world where everyone, regardless of gender identity, can live authentically and without fear.
In conclusion, "Casa Susanna" is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving documentary that sheds light on a forgotten chapter of trans history. Through its focus on the individuals who found community, acceptance, and joy at Casa Susanna, the film offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of gender identity, visibility, and the ongoing struggle for trans rights. Lifshitz’s sensitive and respectful approach ensures that the stories of these trailblazers are not forgotten but instead honored and celebrated. In a time when the rights of trans individuals are increasingly under threat, "Casa Susanna" serves as both a reminder of the past and a call to continue the fight for equality, recognition, and dignity.
Image credits: YouTube
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