TICKED-OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES

Has anyone else here seen this film, and if so, do you believe the storm of controversy surrounding this film is justified? I fail to see how one could take this film seriously. It’s extremely tongue in cheek and one of the most ridiculous parts of the protest regarding this film is how many people are offended by the word “trannies.” I mean really, people, get over it already! It’s diminutive slang, like calling Australians “Aussies.” It is NOT the same as the “k-word” for Jews or the “n-word” for African folks. I don’t see how such a film could perpetuate hateful stereotypes about transgendered individuals, because I doubt bigoted minds would be caught watching this film at midnight in a cinema. I would also hazard a guess that many people who have protested this film have no problems with comedies and music albums that use the dreaded “n-word” in a gratuitous manner—and there are many of those nowadays. I should hasten to point out, a number of the cast members were real-life transgendered persons. If you liked this film, please e-mail Israel Luna at his website and show him some support. Some of the acid hurled at the director via the Net has been ludicrous. It just goes to show that narrow minds can be found in unexpected places. GLAAD needs to get over itself already.

Pictured above: Erica Andrews and Krystal Summers at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Stupid Flanders.

I can’t imagine how anybody could take a film titled ‘Ticked Off Trannies With Knives’ seriously. I mean, if somebody is politically conscious enough to be bothered by this, shouldn’t they be out distributing antibiotics to third world countries or something?

Agreed.

The thing is, a lot of people who complain about the film have not seen it.

Don’t judge a film as being good or bad by its title: it might not be your thing if you look at the title, that I understand. But don’t say it’s totally horrible: it made me laugh in places, it’s very tongue in cheek. It’s not “Citizen Kane” or anything, but then again it doesn’t try to be.

Dear TOTWK Fans:

Our company, Breaking Glass Pictures, proudly distributes Ticked Off Trannies With Knives. I first saw the film at the Tribeca Film Festival and really enjoyed the film for what is was. If we found the film to be offensive we would have not licensed the film.

We are proud our association with Director, Israel Luna and Producer, Toni Miller and the entire cast.

Hey, thanks everyone for caring enough to share your comments.

Best,

Rich

Despite not being a fan of Vanselow’s personality and sexism, I agree with him that tranny is not an offensive word to use to describe transwomen. All that being said, this film looks tres awesome and will make it to my Netflix instant queue as soon as a spot is freed up.

I haven’t seen the film and have no interest in seeing it so will not comment on it. But..

“transwomen”

Trans women. Not transwomen. Transwomen is insulting, it implies the belief that the group in question aren’t really women but are instead some sort of merged concept. Trans women is far more respectful as it denotes women who happen to be trans.

You would never say gayman instead of gay man, or blackman instead of black man.

“tranny is not an offensive word to use to describe transwomen”

Are you a trans woman? If not then you have no right to say that the word isn’t offensive to trans women. Tranny is a word that has historically been used by oppressors to both insult and objectify trans women. For a long time the word was used chiefly in a pejorative way. Even if I was actually comfortable with the word I would never use the word tranny around any trans women that I don’t know for sure are comfortable with it because I realise that some trans women – quite understandably so – find the word offensive.

Whether or not tranny is an offensive word to describe trans women is something only trans women are allowed to answer.

I know several transsexual women, both in real life and online, and they’ve never objected to the word. Now, I rarely use it, because it is more slang and I prefer to not refer to ladies with slang terms, but I’ve never gotten a “you shouldn’t say that” from them when I have used it.

Are you a trans woman, Lily? I am not, but I’ve had periods in my life where I identified more as a female than a male, and would still say that I am bigendered to a small extent.

I would only use the word if I myself was a trans woman, I am not and wouldn’t use it – if I was talking about trans women and did I would definitely feel like I was using insensitive derogatory language and if to one, I think I might be getting ready to run. Of course, if you are in the inner circle and have trust and friendship established that is a different matter . As usual, context is everything.

I really don’t see the difference between transwoman and trans woman aside from a space. From an objective observer it seems like a great deal is being made out of very little. I’d expect this type of argument more on a college girl’s Tumblr than on Mubi. As for the title, it’s obviously satirical and tongue in cheek. Does it look good? Not really? But I guess it’s the primary rule of the internet, if someone posts something expect backlash.

One thing’s for sure: I would never say it to a ticked off tranny with a knife!

I really don’t see the difference between transwoman and trans woman aside from a space. From an objective observer it seems like a great deal is being made out of very little.

You seem anything but an objective observer. Her point is well stated entirely valid.

Moreover, nobody has the right to tell a specific group “no, you are not allowed to find that label offensive”. If someone finds the term offensive the it is an offensive term. Period. That doesn’t mean you are not allowed to use it but that if you do you should do so with the full knowledge the specific term you are using will potentially be insulting to many.

As for the film? I haven’t seen it but given the title and poster I can imagine why it might be considered offensive. That doesn’t mean the title should be changed but if someone who has seen it finds it puerile, offensive and insulting then they should be allowed to express it. If someone who has seen it finds it to be a well made, well intentioned satire then they should be allowed to defend it.

(edited for spelling)

:):) DFOO

I honestly believe too much time is spent fighting over words and terms. There will always be someone who is offended no matter what. As Charlton Heston always said, “Political correctness is tyranny with manners.”

People who complain about “political correctness” always come off as people who just don’t want to worry about offending a marginalized group, because the marginalization doesn’t affect them personally and they don’t want to bother being considerate of someone else’s experience.

“Tranny” has traditionally been used in a derogatory way, i.e. “(S)he looks like a tranny.” Surely anyone could see why some trans people have a problem with its use.

I wasn’t talking about tranny, I was referring to the debate of spelling transwoman with or without a space. As I said, there is always going to be a group who is offended.

But as for the film’s title the way I see it, the people who really push for being politically correct have a type of “Your rights end where my feelings begin” sort of thing going on. I understand why the transgender community would find this film offensive, but I sure as hell am going to defend the filmmaker’s right to call it whatever they want.

But as a cinephile, I believe in checking my politics and beliefs at the door when I watch a movie and just absorbing what it has to say. I’ve always striven to absorb all kinds of ideas over the years I watch movies. My frustration is more in regards to the little things, like the issue of spacing, that seem so irrelevant. I guess it’s an inadvertent affect of the internet age and having the right to post nearly anything we want. But what really sends red flags off for me is when people throw around the words oppression and marginalization into places where it is not necessary. Is the title of the film stupid? Yes. Is it in poor taste? Yes. But don’t forget it’s just a schlocky exploitation film. To call it oppressive is insulting to people who have faced real oppression and violence.

That’s all I have to say on the matter.