The HBO documentary 'Enigma' chronicles the lives of April Ashley and Amanda Lear, both iconic performers at the Le Carrousel nightclub in Paris. This venue was pivotal in providing a safe space for transgender women during the 1950s. While Ashley was one of the first trans women to undergo gender reassignment surgery, Lear has consistently denied similar claims about her identity. The film explores the duo's careers post-Le Carrousel, highlighting the societal challenges they faced, including Ashley's high-profile divorce and legal struggles that impacted trans rights in the UK.
Ashley endured a notoriously public divorce from her husband, which set a legal precedent for the UK's treatment of trans people for decades to come.
Drucker chose to showcase the women's histories because Ashley's story shed so much light on Amanda's, highlighting their intertwining lives.
Ashley was a beacon of resilience, uncompromised by a world that sought to disempower her, illustrating the scale of resistance she faced.
The documentary explores their lives after Le Carrousel, including Ashley's modeling career and Lear's denial of any affiliation with Ashley.
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