A movie from a Chicago-born creative coming to the Music Box Theater this weekend presents a queer take on one of film's most iconic villains.
Writer, director, and actor Vera Drew says for her, it's pretty clear that Batman's archenemy The Joker is queer.
"I think specifically in the way Joker has been portrayed in a lot of the comics, like, at the very least, a lot of queer subtext has been there," she said.
But Drew says when she set out to make her own Joker film in 2020, she knew she wanted a protagonist who was openly and overtly queer.
The end result: "The People's Joker," a queer, coming-of-age parody about a transgender clown named Joker.
"And it's kind of just like this very colorful, weird, psychedelic superhero comic book movie, but really, is me kind of just processing my life and telling a very, like, personal story," Drew said.
Drew was born in Mokena, Illinois, studied film at DePaul University and performed as various comedy and improv clubs in Chicago.
"Pretty much anytime I was doing sketch or stand up, I was always wearing drag. It was really this like, safe space. For me to like, explore queerness," she said.
Drew says she hopes the film can be a safe space for other trans people.
"I think for for trans people like I want, I want them to watch this, and I want them to be able to see a version of their story that they've never seen before," Drew said.
"The People's Joker" will play at the Music Box Theatre from April 26 through May 2. On Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 at 7 p.m., the showing will be paired with an in-person Q & A session with Drew.
To buy tickets, check out Music Box Theatre's website.
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