A two disc set that combines two subjects very dear to me – film and sex. Sounds dirty don’t it? Well, not exactly since this set of documentaries explores sex films through the age of film and some of those early stag films are rawer than you would’ve thought.
The Independent Film Channel seeks to examine sex in the cinema and no we’re not talking about that noisy couple on the back row of the theater. We’re talking about sex on the screen and this trio of documentaries does an excellent job highlighting America’s favorite pastime on the silver screen.
The most interesting episode in my opinion is the first, Censored, which talks about the ratings system and how the development of it actually caused more sex to be allowed on the screen. Not exactly what I would’ve thought considering the equally excellent documentary This Film Has Not Yet Been Rated. Actually, the system allowed the “X” which was a rating that wouldn’t let anyone under 17 into the picture and more adult content could be shown. We’re still talking legitimate sexual talk.
It wasn’t until the X-rated porn film Behind the Green Door that the X became associated with just scenes of screwing and got the X the bad rep that it has today (and also killed advertising in papers, etc.). What might be even more surprising is some of the films from the 1900’s that show all sorts of hardcore footage!
Great, great granddad, we hardly knew thee! The following three episodes are from 2007 and are on disc one and the 2001 original episode “Taboos” is on disc two in a director’s cut as a bonus.
Indie Sex: Censored - Since the earliest film images were created, sex and nudity have been part of cinema - audiences have been both titillated and horrified by what they've seen.
But who is to decide what is appropriate to show on screen? Indie Sex: Censored examines how filmmakers, the film industry, and special interest groups have attempted to both regulate and set free the images that filmmakers create and who gets to see them.
Indie Sex: Teens - Underage sex is one of the most taboo topics on screen. Indie Sex: Teens presents the history and role of teenage sex and sexuality on screen - from Splendor in the Grass to Kids to Thirteen.
The blockbuster teen films of the 80's and more contemporary teen flicks are all explored as mediums through which teen films have played a central role in adolescent sex education.
Indie Sex: Extremes - The most controversial sex scenes are the ones that really push the envelope - from Lolita to Secretary to Nine Songs. Indie Sex: Extremes explores everything from real sex on screen, S&M, fetish, and more.
The films that are explored exemplify how cinema can be used to express the vast range of human sexuality.
Indie Sex: Taboos - Taboos is a look at how indie films present sex to the public, liberating some viewers, infuriating others. Some feel it is the responsibility of independent films to express the less popular images of sexuality, transforming taboos to "to do's" - so to speak.
Hollywood sex can often leave out the more realistic and natural aspects of human sexuality, exchanging reality for popularity and acceptability.
Indie Sex is presented in fullscreen as they were originally aired on television. Special features include the director’s cut of “Taboos,” 90 seconds of more talk about stag films (featuring some unrated, saucy stag film footage – even some of great great granpappy’s hardcore), 32 minutes of extended interviews, and a collection of historical timelines for the first three episodes.
Whether we admit it or not, we’re all fascinated by sex in the cinema (or is that sinema?) and this set of documentaries has some thing for both the sex fiend and the film geek.
Indie Sex is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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