Tribeca, GLAAD Respond to TrannyGate
A representative from the Tribeca Film Festival has issued this statement in response to GLAAD's campaign to have the "transploitation" film Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives barred from screening:
"The filmmakers provided a copy of this film to GLAAD in February, and for weeks the organization had been supportive to the filmmakers. In fact, GLAAD representatives advised the film's producer, director and cast on how to describe the film to its core constituency."
"Tribeca is proud of its ongoing commitment to bring diverse voices and stories to its audiences, and looks forward to the film's premiere at our Festival next month."
Meanwhile, a GLAAD rep wrote to Movieline to object to our use of the word "censorship," which they called "strong editorial. GLAAD is calling for the film to be removed from the Tribeca Film Festival and finds it troubling that the respected Tribeca Film Festival would give a film that sensationalizes anti-transgender violence and misrepresents the lives of transgender women...GLAAD's campaign ensures that the Tribeca Film Festival knows many members of the LGBT community aren't pleased with their decision to show the film -- and those of us who are offended by this film will hold the festival accountable for showing this problematic film."
Tribeca's statement corroborates what a star of the film already commented on Movieline, which is that GLAAD had been well aware of the film for close to a year -- and had even worked with the filmmakers -- but for some reason chose to use the misleading language "was recently alerted" in their press release.
Previously: GLAAD Mounts Censorship Campaign Over Tribeca Fest Transploitation Flick [Movieline]
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Comments
GLAAD throws great parties, I know that; And they're awesome at demanding apologies.
"In fact, GLAAD representatives advised the film’s producer, director and cast on how to describe the film to its core constituency."
Either 1) GLADD failed to give good advice (2) Luna and Co failed to heed said advice or (3) the core constituency was not Trans women, but drag queens and gay guys (the only folks who seem to not mind the movie)
I'm curious who the intended core constituency was?
Did they ask Gwen Araujo's mom Sylvia if they could use her name ? Or Angie Zapatas family? Glaad asked for it to be withdrawn because misrepresents a serious issue. Imagine Mel Gibson tacking the name of two Jews that were sent to the ovens at Auschwitz on the front of his film to sell it. Or in the case of gay people how about a film where Matthew Shepard rises again to kill the straight people who murder him. Would that make you laugh ?
What I do not understand is why because certain people do not classify themselves as a "trannie" but the actors in the movie do how can you tell them there thoughts are wrong? Anyone who takes this movie seriously is out of there minds. I have seen it. It was a good, entertaining MOVIE. Not a documentary. The beginning does show people who have had tragic ends due to this kind of violence, and I took there mention as an omage. The rest of the movie is pure B movie, campy fun. There are serious moments and they are delt with in that manor. But the entire movie is about revenge. It is not going to win an Oscar but it is very much worth seeing if you are into this genre of films. Tarrantino, Waters etc. Best quote I read. "Because of its positioning as a transgender film, viewers unfamiliar with the lives of transgender women will likely leave this film with the impression that transgender women are ridiculous caricatures of "real women." By the title and trailor, it calls on the charector of the boycotters to think that people are so small minded that they can not tell that this movie is not ment to be taken seriously. And for them to boycott the film, starting facebook pages and the like is doing nothing but free publicity for the film. Tribeca has reloeased as statement that they are showing the film. Q Cinima in Fort Worth Texas is showing the film. Ans due to there hard efforts to ban it, I can assure you that more showings will need to be added to accomidate the intrest caused by there promotion of the film. So to the boycotters, I say thanks you!
Gwen and Angie are really dead, they were murdered in a horrible way . Using the real names of people who were beaten to death seems dispute your point.
"GLAAD throws great parties, I know that"
You through a pretty mean wake yourself. Pardon - demeaning wake.
And Heidi - "TrannyGate"? Really? Or is that just the viral dementia talking?
the more controversy this film creates the more money it will make, GLAAD"s objections are like mannah from heaven to the people who made this movie , the publicity it is generating for them is worth millions
GLAAD Responds To Silly & Untrue Accusations of "Trans Gate", and Still Stands by their Petition that Defends Transwomen!Share
Today at 12:29pm
Latest on the Call to Action updated March 26, 2010
GLAAD’s Call to Action asks that Tribeca not give a platform to a film that sensationalizes anti-transgender violence and misrepresents the lives of transgender women. When Tribeca announced its film selections, almost immediately GLAAD received numerous emails from upset transgender advocates asking GLAAD to speak out.
In just one day, over 800 community members and straight allies have sent e-mails to the Tribeca Film Festival voicing their concerns about the film and opposition to its selection for this year’s festival.
Last month, GLAAD was asked to meet with the director and cast members prior to seeing the movie to educate them about transgender terminology and issues facing the transgender community. During that meeting, GLAAD was not shown the film and voiced strong concerns about the title and the use of the word "tranny." While the word is used by some, it is largely an insult that is offensive to many transgender people. The filmmaker has elected to keep it, despite its potential offense.
At the time of the meeting, the film didn’t have a distributor or any major platform. Every year countless independent films are made and most remain unreleased. Showing at the Tribeca Film Festival offers the film a national space to spread its inaccurate message to thousands. It is because of this platform and the recognition it provides that we are standing with many in the community and raising our voices.
When GLAAD watched the film screener and trailer, we were immediately concerned about not just the title, but the film’s content and its exploitation of transgender victims Angie Zapata and Jorge Mercado in its trailer.
In a recent interview the filmmaker admits, “I agree that the baseball bat and the clumps of hair on the baseball bat are very disturbing…” This sort of violence is played for cheap laughs in the film.
Filmmakers have the right to pursue his or her vision. However, film festivals and other media distributors have the responsibility to consider the consequences of advancing that vision.
GLAAD hopes that an institution as respected as the Tribeca Film Festival would be concerned about how this film trivializes violence against transgender people, concerns that the filmmaker has repeatedly shrugged off.
In the wake of this outcry, GLAAD and many other transgender advocates ask that Tribeca rescind its selection of “Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives.”“Negative and stereotyped media portrayals of transgender people hurt the community because Americans still need more education on transgender issues,” said Kim Person, Executive Director of TransYouth Family Allies. "The images in this film make a mockery of their lives. I want more for my child and all transgender people.”
About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
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Thus movie is OMLL bloody filthy. The Director of the film is HUBRIS
missed his forte to be a tester participant to try out preparation H mixed with Crazy Glue !!!!
Thank you, I have just been searching for information about this subject for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you positive about the supply?
It seems to me that this website doesnt load up in a Motorola Droid. Are other folks getting the same issue? I enjoy this blog and dont want to have to miss it when Im away from my computer.
Hey. How did you laud the unfamiliar year?