As a fervent admirer of stories that illuminate the human spirit and foster empathy, I wholeheartedly applaud Will Ferrell and Harper Steele for their bold decision to release their documentary, “Will & Harper,” before the 2024 presidential election. Their determination to spark conversations about acceptance, understanding, and the transgender community in America is nothing short of commendable.
Insistently, Will Ferrell and Harper Steele pushed for the release of their documentary titled “Will & Harper” by Netflix prior to the 2024 presidential election. This film chronicles comedians Ferrell and Steele’s journey together, having met on Saturday Night Live, during a cross-country road trip they embarked upon soon after Steele completed their gender transition. The movie first appeared at the 40th Sundance Film Festival earlier this year to rave reviews and was subsequently purchased by Netflix, premiering on September 27, 2024 – six weeks before Election Day.
It was deliberately scheduled for release prior to the 2024 presidential election, as Ferrell disclosed to Variety. The documentary focuses on the friendship between Ferrell and Steele, highlighting the transformations and constancies in their relationship following Steele’s transition. Furthermore, it delves into how Steele will be viewed and treated across different regions of the country, with a particular emphasis on conservative areas. Ferrell anticipates that the documentary might provoke significant discussions among viewers before they vote, and he expects some individuals to personally relate to the narrative. Ferrell stated:
During our meeting with Netflix, we emphasized the importance of releasing this project before the election. Our aim was to give it enough time to reach audiences and encourage discussions about it within their homes. We’ve noticed many people expressing eagerness to watch it with friends and family who may hold differing views, as they anticipate a shared experience. Here’s hoping that it could gradually break down some of those differences.
The Upcoming 2024 Presidential Election
It’s not far-fetched to compare the timing of the release of “Will & Harper” before an election to the strategic release of “Borat: Subsequent Movie Film” on Prime Video, which aimed to inspire voting in the 2020 Presidential Election just two weeks after its premiere. This year, many studios are steering clear of releasing movies during election week. However, releasing a film like “Will & Harper” a few weeks before could potentially have a positive impact, but only if those who need to be influenced by its message are open to its ideas.
There has been a spike in recent years in extreme anti-transgender rhetoric becoming more commonplace among both lawmakers and citizens. The rights, protection, and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals are at risk for many, so the upcoming election is an important one. Will Ferrell has been open about his views against transphobia, pointing out that it doesn’t make sense and that trans people living authentically should not be seen as a threat to anyone. Even if Will & Harper does not move the needle in a big way, if it can change even one person’s mind by showing them a point of view they’ve never known or considered, then it’s succeeded.
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2024-09-30 21:01