Pride Month: The People's Joker

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I've talked a few times in the past how even though DC won't officially acknowledge it various creators have interpreted the Joker as being LGBT and how he's since become a pride symbol in some circles. More recently trans filmmaker Vera Drew came out with a parody called 'The People's Joker' which reimagines the Joker as a trans woman. It's not just a parody of the Todd Phillips film; there's a lot of comic pastiches throughout the film including an animated segment done in the style of 'The Dark Knight Returns'.

I'm not going to give it an in-depth review but it was a lot better than I thought it would be... while I respected the idea the trailers made it look like a YouTube fan video/adult swim bit that wouldn't work for an entire feature film. In reality there's a lot going on with the film; a lot of it is an autobiography of Vera Drew's experiences coming out as trans through the lens of the Joker (I.E. her mother's attempt at conversion therapy is depicted as being a trip to Arkham Asylum). 

One thing that came to mind was how much a story worked with the Joker and how it might not have with, say, Spider-Man or Batman. I guess in addition to the queer readings to the character he's just become such a universal archetype that he lends himself to so many different interpretations.

If you're interested the film is available to stream on Mubi.

I included a trailer under the cut.

Watch on YouTube

Comments

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I think Frank-N-Furter has to be viewed in the context of when RHPS first came out in 1975.

RHPS has been a queer coming of age movie for multiple generations. Swathes of it may be seen a very dated now, but it was not so much groundbreaking as earth-shattering at the time of it's debut and older queers have passed it on to younger queers sequentially.

As presented, Frank was out, loud and in everybodies face (as well as other body parts).

He was deliberately subversive, looked like a young Tim Curry, sang like a young Tim Curry (A voice that could tempt saints to sin) and was, perhaps more importantly, absolutely unashamed of being who and what he was at the top of his lungs. He seized the sterotypes prevalent at the time and not only revelled in them, he practically weaponised them.

(You can detest Frank's actions, but you can't deny he has STYLE which, as we have all learned over time, excuses many excesses)

Even using the word "Transsexual" in his intro number was VERY subversive for 1975 (though in his case it's the name of his homeworld, rather than necessarily who he is, but it introduces the concept almost subliminimally)

I think he's a good example of the negative presentation of LGBTQ+ mentioned by thanekos elsewhere in this thread. He's not a role model by any means, but that's distinct from his sexual proclivites.

And yes, most often a balance is required, but you can still admire those people who have the confidence to be 100% themselves at the top of their ids.