Swank Stars In Gender Bender

A new movie based on a true story called Boys Don't Cry takes a look at the life of Teena Brandon and her brutal murder at the hands of two pals who discover her secret.

Brandon, who cross-dressed and presented herself as a boy, left her home in Lincoln, Neb. and fell in with a semi-tough crowd in Falls City, Neb. When two of her friends found out she was actually female, they raped her and murdered her a day later.

Actress Hillary Swank — previously part of the Beverly Hills, 90210 cast and the star of the feature film Buffy, the Vampire Slayer — stars as Brandon.

"I was afforded an amazing opportunity with this movie," Swank told CBS This Morning Co-Anchor Russ Mitchell. "I see how important this story is to share with the world and I really wanted to be a part of it."

Swank — who flew herself to New York to audition for the role — said she underwent a physical and an emotional transformation in order to portray Brandon accurately.

"I strapped my breasts and packed a sock," Swank said. "I lowered my voice and lost weight so my bone structure would protrude."

She said the emotional transformation consisted of reading books and transcripts of the Brandon court case, living her life as a boy and walking out on the street to see what worked and what didn't work.

Swank isn't sure what her next role will be, but she says she knows what she'd like to play.

"I haven't found something as challenging or that moves me as much," Swank said. "But, I'd like to play a girl. I am a girl and comfortable being one."