Creative freedom defines American culture. We’re not forced to watch a particular movie, play, or television show, and so we should be especially hesitant to chill the creative expression of others. Censorship leads only to static thinking, less entertaining and informative content, and the repression of the creative mind.
Sadly, as my colleague Madeline Fry documents documents, four families are agitating against the upcoming movie, Joker. An origin story following Batman’s nemesis, the movie stars Joaquin Phoenix.
Recommended Stories
As the BBC notes, the families — who all lost loved ones in the Aurora, Colorado, shooting at a showing of The Dark Knight Rises — are demanding that Warner Bros. “lobby for gun reform, help fund survivor funds and gun violence intervention schemes, and end political contributions to candidates who take money from the NRA.” One of the signatories, Sandy Phillips, explained to the BBC why the group’s ire has fallen on Joker. “When I first saw the trailers of the movie,” Phillips said, “I was absolutely horrified. And then when I dug a little deeper and found out that it had such unnecessary violence in the movie, it just chilled me to my bones because we work with survivors across the country who have been affected by gun violence.” Phillips added, “It just makes me angry that a major motion picture company isn’t taking responsibility and doesn’t have the concern of the public at all.”
I’m sorry for all those who suffered as a result of the Aurora shooting. But I must say, Phillips’ letter makes me angry. It presumes that the role of a motion picture company is to submit to Phillips’ idea of what is acceptable content. If you don’t like the subject of the movie, then don’t go see it.
It is the height of arrogance to demand that one’s own offense-taking should place a new burden on others, such that they should not be able to enjoy a movie that screenwriters have designed around an intriguing, decades-old villainous character. And the mere inclusion of some contradictory language — “We want to be clear that we support your right to free speech and free expression” — does not right the wrongheadedness of their view.
Warner Bros. has two simple responsibilities: abide by the law and create content that consumers value. Warner Bros. should respond to Phillips with a simple message: “We are sorry for your loss, but we will continue creating the best movies we can.”
