The People’s Joker

A DIY parody film and hilarious reimagining of the classic autobiographical coming-of-age story. It follows an unconfident, closeted trans girl as she moves to Gotham City to make it big as a comedian by joining the cast of UCB Live—a government-sanctioned late night sketch show in a world where comedy has been outlawed. As mainstream success eludes our heroine, leading her to unite with a ragtag team of rejects, misfits, and a certain love interest named Mister J, “Joker the Harlequin” is born again as a confident joker on a collision course with the city’s fascist caped crusader. Vats of feminizing chemicals, sexy cartoon interludes, scarecrow psychiatrists, and psychedelic gender dysphoria all play supporting roles. 

Helmed by writer/director/editor/star Vera Drew and using her own life experiences as a basis for the film, it is a deeply personal journey that’s as much documentary as it is parody.