“The Danish Girl”

“The Danish Girl”

by guest contributor Linda Roth
Photo credit: Kris Connor

Fresh from a White House event honoring Champions of Change that included their own movie screening of The Danish Girl as well as Amazon Prime’s Transparent, director Tom Hooper, actors Alicia Vikander, Jeffrey Tambor, Bradley Whitford, and Melora Hardin (The Office) stayed to chat with over 200 LGBT guests and area human rights activists after the film’s Q&A at The US Navy Memorial

Tom Hooper, director, The Danish Girl, attends the DC premiere of Focus Features' "THE DANISH GIRL" at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington DC on November 23, 2015. (Photo by Kris Connor for Focus Features)

Tom Hooper, director, The Danish Girl

The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to recognize individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.  The event recognized nine individuals selected for their artistry in advocating for the LGBT community.

Alicia Vikander

The Danish Girl is the remarkable love story inspired by the lives of artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener portrayed by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) and Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech  & Les Misérables). Lili and Gerda’s marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili’s groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

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Gail Mutrux and Anne Harrison, producers, The Danish Girl

Tom Hooper directed Les Miz (the movie) and knew then he wanted Eddie Redmayne to play the part of painter Einar Wegemer who transformed into Lili Elbe, a transgender pioneer. This was before Redmayne appeared as Dr. Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.  Although Redmayne could not make it to the screening, as he was in the UK filming the next Harry Potter movie, he sent a video welcoming everyone and noting the importance of the movie and how sorry he was he could not be with us.  Guests were greeted with flutes of champagne right after the screening. Skoal!

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