Throw your mind back 25 years. Hanson’s MMMbop was number one, the Titanic topped the box office, and Tony Blair had just been elected prime minister.
But perhaps more culturally significant than the three moments of the 1990s are the first 500 copies of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, published in late June 1997.
This will become the third best-selling novel of all time, affirming J. K. Rowling as one of the most beloved and best-selling authors in the world; a rising figure in the arts.
But the prolific author’s legacy now seems destined to be determined by the cultural war sparked by her position on women’s rights and gender.
Rowling believes that in some circumstances women and girls should have the right to same-sex spaces, which raises accusations of transphobia, which she denies.
The controversy has left the author significantly absent from the anniversary celebrations – as was the case with the recent televised gathering – decisions believed to be driven by deepening controversy.
Trying to separate art from the artist is now clearly a mission for many, invested in ensuring that Harry Potter continues to be profitable.
Sky News was invited to a new feature for mandrakes and magical creatures at Warner Brothers Studios this week and such is the effort to move the brand away from the toxicity of the trance rights debate, PR was not allowed Sky News to raise J.’s name. K. Rowling in the interview.
Our reporter was interrupted in the middle of the stream and was forced to redirect the interrogation line.
When we asked why, the response to the email was “J. K. Rowling is not related to Warner or Tom Felton, the team thought it didn’t matter to the song “… Except for the fact that she created Harry Potter and the executive producer of the films.
(For the record, PRs don’t and shouldn’t – for whatever reason, not least the freedom of the press – dictate the editorial direction of Sky News.)
Image: JK Rowling
Felton – left somewhat awkward for a moment in the middle – was allowed to tell us: “I was auditioning 500 meters from where I am now, which is crazy.
“That was when I was 12, and here I am at 34, and I’m still talking about it …
“We all expected the flames of Harry Potter fans to go out over the years and obviously not get anywhere,” Felton added.
Image: Tom Felton plays Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies
So 25 years later, Harry Potter is as popular and profitable as ever and seems unharmed – obviously, as long as you don’t mention her, who shouldn’t be named.
The idea that Joan Rowling can or should be canceled is strange to many, but trans woman Nicky Take, who loved to read and watch Harry Potter with her children, told Sky News that she was largely just deeply disappointed this.
“I am against a culture of abolition, it should be allowed to say what it thinks,” said Nikki Take.
Image: Nicci Take
“Her views are clearly out of sync with the general population and desperately, tragically, out of sync with Harry Potter fans – trance is almost cool, it’s certainly normalized.
“People know we’re not sexual predators, they know we don’t hunt people in the bathrooms, they know because they know us, they’ve met us.”
“It happens, people don’t meet us, they don’t engage with us and yet they have an opinion about us,” she added.
Read more: JK Rowling criticized for “condescending” and “transphobic” tweets Authors leave JK Rowling literary agency for her comments on trans people
Most of those associated with the wizarding world may understandably be reluctant to comment on the clash, but many admit that Rowling takes a back seat.
Thomas Taylor, the original illustrator on the front cover of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (who told me he’d like to make Harry’s hair “crazier” – which I love) – agrees that the author doesn’t seem so prominent.
“It’s a little weird not to see the author when we’re celebrating a book,” admits Mr. Taylor.
Image: People lined up to get a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone after it was released
“It seems to me that fans already own Harry Potter, the fan space has always been incredibly rich, creative and inclusive, and I hope people continue to find what they need and shape it the way they want it to be. , ”He added.
Taylor attributed the books to the return of reading, when “in the 1990s we were panicked that reading was dying out, with video games and television.”
“This book came out and the kids lined up at midnight, dressed as wizards, to get the latest copy and read it, it’s definitely worth celebrating,” he said, reminding us of the hectic fandom that HP ignites.
Image: Joan Rowling signed copies of her books after they were released
The Harry Potter cast also seems to be torn between her relationship with Rowling and any discomfort from her position on gender rights.
Daniel Radcliffe was quick to issue a statement reaffirming his solidarity with the trans community, saying “trans women are women.”
He also reassured fans by saying, “if Harry Potter resonates … it’s sacred,” in a plea to separate art from the artist.
Image: Emma Watson
Emma Watson seems to be targeting Rowling in her BAFTA awards, which scream for inclusion and “all witches”.
So while the polarized debate is largely hosted on Twitter, its toxic clutter spills over from the edge of the social platform, leaving a pathetic stain on the recordings of contemporary public discourse permeating our largest cultural and media institutions from BAFTA to Warner Bros. Pictures and Bloomsbury Publishers.
All of them are now forced to consider how to navigate the events involved in the problem.
Mina and Eduardo Lima are the illustrators of MinaLima, who worked on the Harry Potter films and a special copy of the 25th edition of the first book.
Mina Lima points out that the world is already beyond the author.
“The world of wizards is already so established that what she did was entrust creative minds to tell their version of her worlds. Our book is also just one of these manifestations, so it’s as if she’s made her genius now. passes the baton, “Lima told Sky News.
Image: Rupert Grint (Ron), Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) and Emma Watson (Hermione) with J. K. Rowling in 2001
So it may not matter that J. K. Rowling did not attend the anniversary celebrations.
Maybe she and HP fans don’t care if she attends events hosted by those who have invested to ensure that Harry Potter continues to be extremely profitable.
This is the intensity of the debate, Rowling revealed earlier this year that she had had so many death threats that she could have stuck her house with them after trans activists docked her (meaning they published her address and personal information). on the Internet with malicious intent).
But as the 25th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved books is celebrated, whether Rowling was or should be canceled, the future of The Boy Who Lives continues to obscure.
Add Comment