Joker faces backlash for use of song by convicted paedophile

First, it was the ‘disturbing’ violence. Now, it’s the use of a song by a convicted child sex offender, Gary Glitter. Controversy doesn’t seem to leave Todd Philips’ Joker alone. Joker’s key scene featuring the now-famous dance by Joaquin Phoenix before he heads for his final, and most striking, kill uses a 1972 track by Glitter, Rock and Roll Part 2 for nearly 2 minutes.

Besides the backlash, the use of the track has also raised ethical questions on whether convicted offenders should continue to profit from their intellectual property.  According to the Guardian, Glitter could earn up to 30% of the song’s profits from the movie as its co-writer, out of the two copyrights liable to make money — one, for publishing/song composition and the second, for recording of the song. 

The glam rock singer, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was sentenced to 16 years’ jail in 2015 for sexually abusing three schoolgirls. 

Also read our review of the film: The Elvis Presley of Jokers is here. Take a bow, Phoenix