When you put out superhero movies on an assembly line because it is easy — just throw production money at the latest incarnation — to recycle the same thing over and over again it is just a matter of time become someone comes along and mocks the entire process. The film satire hit home hard when the “powers that be” managed to get the film pulled from circulation after its debut in September of 2022 at the Toronto International Film Festival.
So what is the superhero film that hit the mark and drew (pun intended) all the legal huffing and puffing? This would be none other than actor/director/writer/editor Vera Drew’s The People’s Joker, which will be available on Aug. 13 from Altered Innocence — with sales and distribution support provided by MVD Entertainment Group — as both DVD and Blu-ray product offerings.
The journey of The People’s Joker begins with the skill-set of Emmy-nominated film editor Vera Drew in 2019 with the personal re-editing of director Todd Phillips’ Joker. This inspired Drew and co-writer Bri LeRose to take it one step further and make a film of their own — which is a wild blend of live-action and animation (various styles).
The film features Drew as “Joker the Harlequin,” a would-be comedian in a dystopian world where humor is outlawed. She is a transgender woman who has struggled growing up with both sexual and identity issues, but once she hooks up with other like-minded “anti-comedians” — you can’t be a comedian, but if you bill yourself as an “anti-comedian” it is OK — to take on the abusive “Batman” (voiced by Phil Braun).Don’t get into details as there is so, so, so, so, so much going on here, including a build-in soundtrack album (just dive right into Mima Zima’s “Back of the Truck” and you get the idea) that makes The People’s Joker a joy ride from start to finish!
Now you cannot mock a superhero franchise without repercussions. Despite a long-winded opening explanation of what the film was about, Vera Drew nevertheless got the “word” after her film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival that “stuff” would happen if she continued screening it.Die bitch if you mock us! Corporate message delivered.
All future festival screenings were withdrawn. And then along came Alternate Innocence and a distribution deal was set up. Beginning in April of 2023, The People’s Joker resurfaced with screenings at the Wisconsin Film Festival and the Milwaukee Film Festival, followed by Outfest LA Film Festival in July, Fantastic Fest in September and more (Chicago International Film Festival, Seattle Queer Film Festival … etc.).
There was a pause and a limited (about 150 screens) theatrical launch took place on Apr. 5 of this year. The ARR as a result comes in at 130 days and the box office receipts were reported as $213,555.The physical media launch on Aug. 13 from Altered Innocence will be the first time that a wider audience will have access to enjoy and soak in this “controversial” work from filmmaker Vera Drew.
Bonus goodies include three separate commentary options. The first with Drew, the second teams Drew with actor Nathan Faustyn (as The Penguin) and the third is a mixed-mash commentary with members of the cast and crew.
Other bonuses include a video session with Vera Drew and authors Willow Catelyn Maclay and Caden Mark Gardner (“Corpses, Fools and Monsters”) and a pair of featurettes — “Queebso TV” and “Behind-the-Scenes.” If you are looking for a visual feast and a wild cinematic ride, then look no further than Altered Innocence’s Aug. 13 DVD and Blu-ray rollout of filmmaker Vera Drew’s The People’s Joker!!
