The People’s Joker, a mixed-media movie directed by and starring Vera Drew, has been pulled from Toronto International Film Festival, allegedly due to “rights issues”. Variety describes the film as “a queer coming-of-age story set in the Batman universe”.
Take a look at the trailer for The People's Joker right here.
The film follows the story of a wannabe clown dealing with her gender identity, who aspires to be part of a TV sketch show featuring a cast of Harlequins and Jokers. “With comedy [criminalised] in Gotham City, the show is the only government-sanctioned space for funny people, but only those who will toe the party line,” the official synopsis reads (via Variety). “Disillusioned by a botched audition, Vera partners with a birdlike slacker to found their own alternative comedy troupe, attracting not only a rogues’ gallery of would-be comics, but also the ire of a fascistic caped crusader.”
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Variety write that apparently, before the film was shown, a title card was shown which claimed that it was protected under “fair use”. However, three further screenings of the movie at TIFF have now been cancelled, and a statement on the TIFF website reads, “the filmmaker has withdrawn this film due to rights issues. We [apologise] for any inconvenience.” Variety suggest that this may be the result of a cease and desist from Warner Bros. Discovery, however, the studio is yet to comment.
Speaking to Variety, Drew said: “I don’t respond well to bullying or pressure from faceless institutions. It only emboldens me and what I was saying with this film. We’re looking for buyers and distribution partners who will protect us and make this film accessible to trans people and their families everywhere.”
Topics: TV And Film, Batman, Warner Bros