Filmmaker Vera Drew has pulled her film “The People’s Joker” from the Toronto Film Festival lineup per festival organisers.
In a statement posted on the official website for the festival, it says: “The filmmaker has withdrawn this film due to rights issues. We apologize for any inconvenience. Current ticket holders will receive an email from TIFF Customer Relations with information on their purchase.”
Drew wrote, directed, and stars in the film as an aspiring clown and comedian grappling with her gender identity and dreams of being cast in a TV sketch show – the only government-sanctioned space for comedy that is otherwise criminalized.
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 the ire of a fascistic caped crusader.
According to Bloody Disgusting the film opens with a disclaimer: “This film is a parody and is at the present time completely unauthorized by DC Comics, Warner Brothers, or anyone claiming ownership of the trademarks therein.”
It debuted on Tuesday as part of TIFF’s Midnight Madness section, and though further screenings were planned – those have been cancelled.
Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns DC Comics and holds the rights to the Batman universe, hasn’t yet commented on the film. Drew herself indicated something was up earlier in the day on Tuesday in a tweet you can see below.
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
