Set to premiere at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival is a flick called Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives.  If you’re anything like me, you’re probably thinking “Well Hot Tub Time Machine, that is a fantastic title!”  But if you’re an anonymous assh*le on the internet, you’re apparently thinking, “Boo!  This movie I’ve never seen may offend me by treating its subject without the kid gloves outlined in the handbook of PC Fascism!”

The film is described as a “campy homage to the exploitation films” in which “a group of transgender women are violently beaten and left for dead,” but then “the violated vixens turn deadly divas.”

That summary alone was enough to prompt many angry comments at the tribecafilm.com Web site. One commenter who gave her name as Marie wrote, “This movie trivializes people dying for being who they are. You need to consider whether you want to be remembered for such transphobic trash.” Another commenter named Margaret B wrote, “I can’t imagine a more offensive film to denigrate and demean a minority group [really? you have a sh*tty imagination. -Ed]. Please remove this film from your line up.”

GLAAD has made the same demand of the Tribeca festival. In a statement, the alliance said, “The film, its title and its marketing misrepresent the lives of transgender women and use grotesque, exploitative depictions of violence against transgender women.” The alliance added that Mr. Luna and the festival “have refused to take responsibility for the problematic content and offensive marketing of this film,” and urged its membership to contact the festival and demand that the film be pulled from its schedule. [NY Times - thanks to Brian for the tip]

Shame on you for listening to these jackasses, GLAAD (who had earlier cooperated and consulted on the film, according to the one of the actors).  This bullsh*t has to stop.  Whatever your minority demographic, do them the respect of treating them like adults and quit acting like they’re some rare comic book that you have to leave inside the plastic.  Acting like no one’s allowed to have a little fun with your group doesn’t create respect, it creates resent.  And way to declare war on people who are probably on your side and just have a better sense of humor.  Very helpful.   FYI, I’ll be seeing this just to spite you.  And because that chick in the poster is pretty hot.

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The New York Times did an article on the Brüno movie over the weekend, focussing on the film’s overt political message. Surely it must have one.  Because comedy is propaganda, you see.

Gay groups are reacting with deeply mixed emotions, heightened by the recent triumphs (Iowa) and losses (California) in efforts to legalize gay marriage. Is the film then vulgar, inappropriate and harmful? Or bold, timely and necessary? All of the above?

Why is it any time someone uses the word ‘inappropriate’ I want to make a hole in their throat and poop in it?

Ultimately the tension surrounding “Brüno” boils down to the worry that certain viewers won’t understand that the joke is on them and will leave the multiplex with their homophobia validated [which I've heard you can redeem for free parking].
“Some people in our community may like this movie, but many are not going to be O.K. with it,” said Rashad Robinson, senior director of media programs for GLAAD. “Sacha Baron Cohen’s well-meaning attempt at satire is problematic in many places and outright offensive in others.”
“We strongly feel that Sacha Baron Cohen and Universal Pictures have a responsibility to remind the viewing public right there in the theater that this is intended to expose homophobia,” said Brad Luna, a spokesman for Human Rights Campaign.

We have a right to ensure stupid people aren’t laughing at jokes for the wrong reasons!  Don’t you see? The chicken only braved the dangers of the road because she was fleeing discrimination!

Holding the opposite view are people like Aaron Hicklin, the editor of Out magazine, who said he plans to put Mr. Baron Cohen on the August cover. “The movie does something hugely important, which is showing that people’s attitudes can turn on a dime when they realize you’re gay,” Mr. Hickland said. “The multiplex crowd wouldn’t normally sit down for a two-hour lecture on homophobia, but that’s exactly what’s going to happen. I’m excited about that.”

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