John Waters on Hairspray, Desperate Living, and Tracy Turnblad as Trans Activist

In a recent chat, John Waters, the 80-year-old director famous for his cult films, talked about the Criterion Collection's 4K restorations of his movies, Desperate Living (1977) and Hairspray (1988). He suggested that if Tracy Turnblad from Hairspray were around today, she'd be a strong advocate for trans rights. Waters compared the tyrannical Queen Carlotta from Desperate Living to Donald Trump, referencing TikTok clips that draw parallels. He describes his unique style as 'comic terrorism,' using humor to fight against oppression. He fondly remembers Liz Renay from Desperate Living, who humorously volunteered for a risqué scene. Hairspray, surprisingly, got a PG rating and premiered just before Divine died. Waters highlights the film's lasting influence, including its Broadway version and the 2007 remake. He emphasizes a recurring theme in his work: 'mind your own business, amplify society's perceptions of your flaws, turn that into your style, and come out on top.' Both films are now out in 4K UHD.