Melbourne Queer Film Festival Picks Controversial Film

[Shana A]

Melbourne Queer Film Festival Picks Controversial Film

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/02/melbourne-queer-film-festival-picks-controversial-film/

The Melbourne Queer Film Festival has selected the controversial film, Ticked off ->-bleeped-<-s with Knives, for their 2011 program. In addition, the festival is encouraging movie goers to come dressed as their favorite horror/exploitation character or 'Ticked Off ->-bleeped-<-'. The film, self described as a "campy campy homage to exploitation films" is about a group of transgender women fighting back against transphobic murderers.  Controversy arose during the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival concerning the inclusion of the film which many in the trans community found transphobic.

The film drew criticism and protests from trans activists. Most prominently criticized was the original trailer for the movie which included the names of several trans women who were murdered, such as Angie Zapata.  The names were later removed.  Many also criticized the use of the slur '->-bleeped-<-s' in the title.  The use of the word is regarded as controversial in most contexts and there is debate concerning whether it can or should be reclaimed.