Will Ferrell on Transphobia: ‘I Think We Fear What We Dont Know’

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As a longtime admirer of cinema who has witnessed the evolution of comedic genius through the years, I find myself deeply moved by Will Ferrell‘s latest endeavor, “Will & Harper.” The documentary not only showcases the beautiful bond between two lifelong friends but also sheds light on an essential issue that needs our attention – transphobia and safety concerns within the trans community.

Comedian Will Ferrell discusses the issue of transphobia. His latest project, Josh Greenbaum’s “Will & Harper,” follows a journey across America by Ferrell and his longtime friend and former Saturday Night Live writer Harper Steele, who transitioned in 2021. They first met in the 90s during their time on the sketch comedy series. Thirty years into their friendship, Steele revealed her identity as transgender. The documentary, which Netflix obtained after its debut at Sundance earlier this year, explores the rekindling of their friendship following Steele’s transition. During an interview with The Independent about “Will & Harper,” Ferrell was queried about the existence of transphobia.

I think we fear what we don’t know.

In his chat with the media outlet, Ferrell touched on concerns about safety within the transgender community. Regrettably, incidents of violence against transgender individuals and members of the LGBTQ+ community have been escalating. This increase can be attributed to harmful speech and discriminatory practices that foster a dangerous atmosphere and encourage hate crimes. Moreover, it’s crucial to acknowledge the problem of underreporting these crimes. Some transgender people might choose not to report incidents due to apprehension about additional victimization or distrust towards law enforcement.

“Out there, there exists profound hostility, and it can be incredibly dangerous for transgender individuals in specific circumstances. However, I fail to understand why transgender people pose any threat to me as a cisgender male. I also don’t comprehend what makes Harper potentially harmful to me.

Will Ferrell: Harper Steele is ‘Who She Was Always Meant to Be’

Ferrell muses that individuals who feel intimidated by transgender people might struggle with self-assurance. After recognizing that Steele has embraced her true identity, Ferrell wonders if such apprehension stems from inner insecurity.

“Regardless of whether you can fully understand it, why should it matter to you if someone is content? What makes their happiness a problem for you? If the existence of the trans community unsettles you, I believe this stems from a lack of self-assurance or insecurity.

The movie, garnering a flurry of standing ovations at both the Sundance Film Festival in January and its Toronto International Film Festival screening earlier this month, has been showered with acclaim by critics (it boasts an impressive 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes). Critics have commended Will & Harper for their genuine portrayal of friendship, understanding, and the intricacies of transitioning. A significant factor in the film’s critical acclaim is its authentic depiction of moments between friends, with Ferrell not pretending to understand everything about trans individuals. This authenticity, as revealed in Ferrell’s interview with Them, stemmed partly from Harper’s kindness in allowing him to ask any questions he had.

“The strategy was for me to pose my own questions and speak however fluently or awkwardly I felt comfortable. Fortunately, Harper gave me the space to find my footing. And as she put it, ‘Feel free to ask me any question on behalf of your friends; I give you permission. Let’s chat about whatever topic interests you.’

On this coming Friday, September 27th, the duo comprising Will Ferrell and Harper will make their debut on Netflix. Following their stint on Saturday Night Live, these two have worked together on numerous projects, one of them being “The Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” in which Ferrell starred. This production, co-written by both Ferrell and Harper, can also be found on Netflix.

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2024-09-27 15:33