I struggle to think of a film in recent memory that has been shrouded by more controversy and discourse than Todd Phillip’s Joker. Whilst we can pretty safely dismiss fears of the film inciting violence as the media’s attempt at fear-mongering and getting those clicks, this latest controversy holds a little more weight.
The film had a bonkers opening weekend, raking in USD 247 million worldwide. Though one scene, in particular, left a sour taste in the mouth of viewers. The film uses notorious paedophile Gary Glitter’s 1972 song ‘Rock and Roll Part 2’ in a scene running almost two minutes. Sparking a public outcry that royalties from the blockbuster hit will end up going to the disgraced musician.
Glitter has a myriad of child abuse and sexual assault charges to his name. In 1999 he plead guilty to possessing child pornography in the UK. In 2005, he was tried and convicted of committing obscene acts with underage girls in Vietnam. He is currently serving 16 years in prison after being found guilty for attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one count of assault of an underage girl.
Although currently serving a sentence, Glitter — real name Paul Gadd— is entitled to his royalties. How much money Gadd will take home as a result of the soundtrack remains unclear, but as a music lawyer and synchronisation expert explains to The Guardian:“The local company will retain maybe 20% to 30% of the fee.
“Of the remainder, the local record company in the UK might take 60%. So Glitter could get maybe 30% of the fee on the recorded side and probably less on the publishing, because it is a co-write and because the publisher is also taking a cut.”
Watch: Joker Trailer
