This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
Published on September 25, 2019, a new film, 'Joker,' has been met with both praise and concern. The movie, a character study of Batman's nemesis, has been hailed as an Oscar contender but has raised concerns that its depiction of mental illness and violence could prove incendiary.
The film's release comes seven years after a tragic event in Aurora, Colorado, where a man opened fire in a movie theater during a late-night premiere of a Batman film, killing 12 and wounding 70.
Five members of the victims' families wrote an open letter to Hollywood trade publications, expressing their concerns about the film's portrayal of mental illness and violence. They noted that their real-life tragedy was perpetrated by a socially isolated individual who felt 'wronged' by society.
While the open letter did not condemn the film, it urged the Hollywood studio to use its platform to lobby for gun reform and support victims. The studio, Warner Bros., responded by stating that neither the fictional character Joker nor the film is an endorsement of real-world violence of any kind.
Warner Bros. described gun violence as a 'critical issue' and said it had donated to victims and supported gun control legislation. The studio also stated that it believes one of the functions of storytelling is to provoke difficult conversations around complex issues.
The US gun control debate has reignited in recent months, with most presidential candidates calling for a new assault weapons ban. The Aurora shooting was carried out during a packed screening of 'The Dark Knight Rises,' in a meticulously-planned attack during which shooter James Holmes wore body armor and used tear gas to prevent victims from escaping.
