From Hong Kong to Beirut via Santiago de Chile, protesters from around the world make up like the Joker, inspired by the film currently in theaters. Two comic authors analyze this phenomenon for Europe 1.

INTERVIEW

It's more than a film, it's a phenomenon: Joker , theatrical since October 9, unleashes the passions. In three weeks, it has generated more than $ 800 million in revenue worldwide (€ 722 million). In France, more than three million people have already seen it. Todd Philipps' film has fueled even political debates since the Joker's makeup appeared on the faces of protesters in Hong Kong, Lebanon or Chile. "This is not a new phenomenon, the mask for V for Vendetta (graphic novel adapted in film in 2006, ed ) had already been taken up in protest movements ( including Anonymous, ed )," said Brian Azzarello, screenwriter of comics.

An ambiguous icon

Brian Azzarello is familiar with the character of the Joker: with his comedian designer Lee Bermejo, he dedicated a graphic novel, soberly titled Joker , published in 2009. "I believe that for the protesters, the symbol of the Joker is a way to express frustration in an anonymous way ", analyzes Brian Azzarello at the microphone of Europe 1. In fact, in the Todd Philipps film currently in theaters, the psychopathic clown is first of all an inspiration for a popular class despised by the elite and who goes out to demonstrate in the street.

This reappropriation of the Joker by the authors of the film questions all the same: after all, it is a diabolical character, a murderous psychopath. Not really the symbol of peaceful resistance. "I loved the movie and it's true that it causes discomfort." At one point, I wanted to love this Joker, and then realized that I should not like it, that it was to be complicit in his actions, "said Brian Azzarello. This invitation to distance himself from the character seems necessary, as the film Joker plays with this ambiguity between compassion and terror.

The Joker, more popular than Batman

For the comic writer, who has also worked on Watchmen and more recently Batman , the current popularity of the Joker is not surprising. "He is elusive, unpredictable, there is always a surprise with him, so it is constantly renewed," said Brian Azzarello. "As a screenwriter, I need the reader to expect him to commit the worst atrocities ... when that's not always the case, some say the Joker is just mean. It's not my opinion, for me, the Joker is completely crazy at first. "

His fellow draftsman Lee Bermejo said: "We live in a world where everyone is trying to attract attention by being the most postmodern.The Joker is the most postmodern person in pop culture. Everyone tries to make the right joke at the right time - it's important to be in the spotlight - it's a world full of Jokers! ", he explains. "Well, thankfully, not everyone starts killing people ..."

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In the festival or in the protests, the Joker seems set to become an icon, 79 years after his first appearance in the adventures of Batman. In this, the film has achieved a nice magic trick, according to Brian Azzarello: "There are good Batman stories without the Joker, now it is obvious that there are good stories of the Joker without Batman".

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