Aug 11 – Aug 24, 2022
Entertainment
The late Nichelle Nichols and William Shattner had an historic interracial kiss in 1968 – 54 years ago – on TV. Have Americans learned anything about sexual pluralism in 54 years - - “Anything Possible” will help determine that.
Khal (Abubakr Ali) shares a kiss with Kelsa (Eva Reign).
I almost missed enjoying “Anything’s Possible,” one of the best films I have ever seen, because it was produced by way-over-the-top Billy Porter. I wrongly assumed the movie would mirror his persona and tremendously overload my senses. However, in his directing debut, the Pittsburgh native presents a story that is refreshingly fresh.
“Anything’s Possible,” is an ultra-modern love story between Khal (Abubakr Ali), a person who identifies as being of Iranian heritage, possibly Muslim, and not gay or transexual, and Kelsa (Eva Reign), who identifies as African American and transsexual.
Ali (Khal) is the first Arab Muslim actor to lead a comic book adaptation. Reign joins Laverne Cox and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez being transwomen headlining major studio films. There is no modern version of blackface in Porter’s debut.
I watched the Amazon Prime film on the heals of Nichelle Nichols’ death and whose historic interracial kiss with William Shatner in 1968 – 54 years ago – is considered one of the first of its kind on TV. Have Americans learned anything about sexual pluralism in 54 years - - “Anything Possible” will help determine that.
Pluralism started during the creation of this work of art. Aside from Porter being the director, Ximena García Lecuona wrote the script. The 28-year-old told Forbes magazine, “I was out as transgender nonbinary for about five years.” She now considers herself a transwoman and spends time in her native Mexico and United States. The two are part of the film’s foundation, the inclusion and diversity grew from there.
Ali (Khal) is the first Arab Muslim actor to lead a comic book adaptation. Reign joins Laverne Cox and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez being transwomen headlining major studio films. There is no modern version of blackface in Porter’s debut.
“The problem is, she’s trans. Not that that’s a problem for me, I’m just afraid of the drama I could cause if I ask her out. I’ll probably lose a friend, and I doubt my parents would understand,” wrote Khal on Reddit, an American social news aggregation, content rating, and discussion website - - in the film.
The characters attachment to social media and its integration in the story telling made the movie even more appealing. However, the film is far from preachy. It’s less overtly educational and more wow and funny.
When Khal’s parents searched his browser history they find he has been searching for terms associated with transgenderism. His mom nervously asks if he’s transgender. He affirms that he’s not, but that his girlfriend is. His father than sighs, “he’s just gay.”
And, Khal tells his well-to-do parents that he wants to go to a Pittsburgh Technical College, they are not pleased. He says, “it’s my me” and his father exclaims “it’s your what?” Then, there is a scene where two young women walk into a men’s bathroom, up to urinals, and pretend to want to use them. “Should we try it?” one asked.
However, if was during one learning moment that l was taught a phrase that I will embrace: That the person matters more than the gender. A comment by Kelsa reminded me of Blacks who often claim that the only thing some Whites see when they see them or want to talk to them about is there Blackness. Kelsa simply recorded for her social media fans: “Why do I have to talk about gender all the time?”