What good is parody law if we can’t use it to trans some characters’ genders?
The People’s Joker loosely adapts the material of the film Joker into a story of a trans stand-up comedian, with several notable DC Comics characters appearing throughout.
The crowdfunded, equal parts progressive and absurd film was set to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). After a strongly worded letter from Warner Bros. Discovery, the film was allowed its original premiere, but all subsequent screenings were pulled from the festival’s lineup.
On the festival website, the film’s page displays a message reading “The filmmaker has withdrawn this film due to rights issues. We apologise for any inconvenience.”
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After plenty of speculation, director Vera Drew put out an official statement on the situation:
🚨🃏A STATEMENT FROM VERA ON WHAT WENT DOWN AT TIFF, THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE PEOPLES JOKER, AND WHERE WE GO FROM HERE🃏🚨 pic.twitter.com/TJCneaEUDW
— Vera Drew (@VeraDrew22) September 16, 2022
Related: 6 Lady Gaga songs we want to hear in ‘Joker’s’ musical sequel
It makes sense that Warner Bros. Discovery is in a bit of a desperate state to protect their IP at the moment.
The big merger announcement between Warner Bros. and Discovery has been rife with controversy, from that weird HBO Max/Discovery+ demographic analysis leak to dozens of properties being pulled from HBO Max, allegedly to avoid paying royalties on them.
The series of odd publicized moves lost the company billions in market share in a pretty short time, so general hesitancy is understandable at the moment.
Allowing an indie trans Joker film its moment in the sun could’ve gone a good way towards winning them back some goodwill with the online queer community, but the time for that seems to have passed.
Related: Beyond Batman: the secret LGBTQ stars of one of TV’s campiest show
The film’s removal from the festival has inspired fans across the web to call for a write-in for TIFF’s “People’s Choice” award.
“We’re the only film with ‘people’s’ in the title, so it’s only fair,” Drew wrote in a tweet on Thursday.
Fans are also advocating for the film in the hashtag “#FreeThePeoplesJoker”:
We’re proud to stand with Vera and the rest of the incredible team who helped bring THE PEOPLE’S JOKER to life.
We’ll be screening the film in Sydney (Oct 1) and Melbourne (Oct 22), at our upcoming festival Metamorphoses.#FREETHEPEOPLESJOKER https://t.co/kvCsMbyADS
— Static Vision (@StaticVisionAU) September 16, 2022
i would pay any amount of money to see what that letter said and to see the face of the pearl-clutcher who wrote it after it became a publicity boon. in true jokerly fashion, it keeps getting funnier. #freethepeoplesjoker https://t.co/4viggbxx4n
— Tucker Wooley⚡️(is looking for work!) (@tucker13x) September 16, 2022
Still eligible for People’s Choice at TIFF! #FREETHEPEOPLESJOKER https://t.co/yBsZSjqAEF
— Amanda the Jedi @ TIFF (@AmandaTheJedi) September 16, 2022
THE PEOPLE’S JOKER being pulled from TIFF is more than just a copyright issue. Trans rights, capitalism, & community. The weight of over 100 artists & 1 proven filmmaker @VeraDrew22 telling her story via parody of a beloved IP. You should be flattered, WB! #FREETHEPEOPLESJOKER
— KG (@554mariposa) September 14, 2022
I wish I could see the people’s joker, subversive queer art being shut down by corporate interests is fucked up #Freethepeoplesjoker
— Cordelia 🔞🏳️⚧️ Recovering post op (@CordeliaOfSeas) September 14, 2022
Honestly my most anticipated movie of 2022. @wbpictures grow up and #FreeThePeoplesJoker https://t.co/xWlPfp95kE
— david binch (@jackEdaytona) September 14, 2022
Warner Bros. being scaredy bears about “The People’s Joker” is a loss on their part because it looks absolutely EPIC and WE NEED TO SEE IT. I remember long ago Vera stating she was going to make it and now here we are. FREE THE JOKER! #FreeThePeoplesJoker https://t.co/pExtjch6eQ
— 🐍Your flesh that remains I will take as my food🐍 (@VisceralEntropy) September 14, 2022
While steps forward for this team are currently unclear, Drew has assured fans that their chance to view the film will come soon:
I have no clue how today goes and my team wants me to say nothing of course so I’ll stay vague…but whatever happens in the next few hours, I want you to know…if you’ve been waiting and aching to watch our movie, ur going to get to soon. Stay tuned and stay with me. Need ur help pic.twitter.com/RcFIWYsUFi
— Vera Drew (@VeraDrew22) September 13, 2022
The People’s Joker has a few more festival stops in its immediate future, but the search for a distribution partner continues.
The film’s development was the work of over a hundred creatives and an even larger audience of donors. It seems the film’s future is, likewise, in the hands of its supporters.
Check out the trailer for parody extravaganza The People’s Joker:
MrGoldman
“The filmmaker has withdrawn this film due to rights issues.” They need to replace “rights” with copyright. You can’t just steal characters like that.
judysdad
Just about every G/L/B person I know is as sick and tired of trans freaks as it’s possible to be. Nothing whatsoever in common. Nor is there the slightest bit of interest.
Give it up already!!
Tallskin
Too fvcking right
Just when you think it all couldn’t possibly get any worse News site Reduxx confirms that a school in Canada really is employing a male teacher who wears giant fake breasts with nipples in view through tight shirts while teaching. The teacher was employed as a man and recently began ‘identifying’ as a woman. FFS
Do a google search Reduxx Ontario High School Teacher Seen Wearing Massive Prosthetic Bust to Class
Toofie
It comes down to making a movie with characters you don’t have the rights to. You might be fine putting it on YouTube or TikTok, but once you start entering it in film festivals, you’re asking for trouble.
inbama
I would’ve thought that the “Wind Done Gone’ case set a precedent that parody is protected, but i guess it’s whoever can afford to lawyer up.
Prax07
Well trans folk have taken over gay apps, gay bars, gay websites, gay sub reddits, was only a matter of time they tried to take something like intellectual properties. Glad this time the owners are fighting back.
LeBlevsez
They’re holding me HOSTAGE!!!
Right
NOW!!!
………………….help………….me…………
galileo
*gasp* Will someone think of the children?!
galileo
I love this article, if only because nothing triggers the kaftan wearing right wing Marys more than a good Trans story!
Tallskin
You gender essentialist fvcking trans and their fans shield your adult sexual lusts by cloaking yourselves in slogans such as “protect trans children!” as if such children exist. It’s only Autogynephile adults who push notions such as “trans children”. No-one else does
And i am left wing and socialist, living in the Uk and from here we understand that it’s not progressive nor left wing to promote the sexual kinks of men in dresses. Sure, dress how you want, even prance down the street in chemically induced breasts and euphoria, but let’s not pretend it’s a socialist or left wing issue- cos it’s not. It’s a men’s rights power grab.
If you were a real left winger and socialist you’d be campaigning for universal health care, a universal wage for all, income equality, ending homelessness and fighting child poverty. But you’re not, you’re on here promoting cross dressers and sexual kinksters.
Fvcking fraud!