The People’s Joker- This Joker Certainly Is Wild
Quick Take: I’ve seen this on demand, and I was provided a screener. To my knowledge, this has no audio description. It feels very low budget, directed and starring Vera Drew, and this is one of a handful of films that lack audio description that I’m debating about whether or not to include them in my top 25 of 2024. Drew is clearly a bright new voice as a director, and this comically semi autobiographical look at how Vera came to be is a bold and daring shot that ropes in Gotham and versions of its denizens. Sure, Drew may feel like the joker, but others along the way take on the personas of other Batman characters. It might be the best queer film of the year, but I have to say, I still believe this film could and should have audio description. I’ve seen smaller films, with smaller budgets prioritize accessibility. It either is something you make happen because equity is important, and you want your inclusive story to also be inclusive in presentation, or you find excuses why accessibility can’t happen. For me, I don’t accept excuses for lack of audio description on things that get a theatrical release, have a major distributor, or are produced by a streaming service. The only time, in 2024, that i accept “you can’t have accessibility because…” is if the answer results in death. So, as happy as this makes me, I’m still annoyed by the lack of existing audio description just enough that this could be #26, and just miss out on a list, simply because I’m here to advocate. I have a problem putting a film that high while knowing it isn’t fully accessible. I’m fully stoked to see more from Vera Drew in the future, and hopefully the next film will have accessibility. I may not put this film up there, but drew will definitely be on my first time director list. For more, check out my video.
