Susan's Place Transgender Resources

'Will & Harper' Trailer: Will Ferrell's Best Friend Came Out as Transgender, So They Took a Road Trip to Rediscover Each Other

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/will-harper-trailer-will-ferrell-s-best-friend-came-out-as-transgender-so-they-took-a-road-trip-to-rediscover-each-other/ar-AA1q3B1L?ocid=windirect&cvid=2f29b07d9eb147eb867f2d00b7ae56b8&ei=55

Story by Andrés Buenahora (5 Sep 2024)

Netflix has unveiled the trailer for Will Ferrell's roadtrip documentary "Will & Harper," which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The streaming giant acquired distribution rights to the film in February.

The official synopsis for "Will & Harper" from Netflix reads: "Two years ago, Will Ferrell was filming a movie when he received a most surprising email: His dear friend of nearly 30 years was coming out to him as a trans woman.  That friend was Harper Steele, a writer Will met on his first day at 'Saturday Night Live' back in 1995. From that fateful first meeting in the halls of 30 Rock, Will knew he had found a match made in comedy, and their friendship and creative partnership would only continue to grow over the next 3 decades. In this intimate, honest, and heartfelt documentary, Will and Harper hit the open road together to process this new stage of their friendship and reintroduce Harper to the country that she loves – this time, as herself. Over 16 days, the two drive from New York to LA, visiting stops that are meaningful to them, to their friendship, and to America. Through laughter, tears, and many cans of Pringles, they push past their comfort zones as they re-examine their relationships to these spaces, and to each other, in this new light."

If you don't have access to the article, the 'Will & Harper' trailer can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRZ1ELeGepo

I am very torn on this. I think it's awesome on one hand. And that both of these people have learned a lot. But I also get very nervous when they have to turn this into a movie, or TV series. Why can't people just have moments in their lives to themselves? When it gets turned into a media thing... that always makes me slightly twitchy. Why does this need to be made?

"Hey, you're trans, I know how we can make money on this!"

Feels a little bit dirty. I remember this story when it came out. That it's being capitalised on makes me somewhat uncomfortable, to be honest.

Quote from: Sephirah on September 05, 2024, 05:48:41 PMI am very torn on this. I think it's awesome on one hand. And that both of these people have learned a lot. But I also get very nervous when they have to turn this into a movie, or TV series. Why can't people just have moments in their lives to themselves? When it gets turned into a media thing... that always makes me slightly twitchy. Why does this need to be made?

"Hey, you're trans, I know how we can make money on this!"

Feels a little bit dirty. I remember this story when it came out. That it's being capitalised on makes me somewhat uncomfortable, to be honest.

I'm with you on that.

I see a lot of "news" stories that if you removed the words "trans" or "LGBTQ" there would be no story. It isn't news, its entertainment and I'm not going to be anyone's clown.

Quote from: Sephirah on September 05, 2024, 05:48:41 PMwhen they have to turn this into a movie, or TV series. Why can't people just have moments in their lives to themselves?

because - Will Ferrel...

Artists often draw their ideas from their own lives, so it is not surprising that they made this movie. And to be honest, what is the difference between Jennifer Boylan's autobiographical book She's Not There and this movie? Different media and different art forms, but they both tell autobiographical aspects of being trans.

I have only seen the trailer, but if Will Ferrell comes across the entire movie defending his trans friend like in the trailer, then this would be a perfect example for others to see how to treat trans folks in their life. So this might not be about being trans, but about being a trusted ally.

Again, I would need to see the entire movie for a final judgement, but I did like the trailer.

"I'm afraid of hating myself."

Hope Harper is doing well and in a good place.