And now, for something completely different...
by
Don Lobo Tiggre
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... well, not completely. Some time ago, Sunni reviewed an X-rated film called "Revelations", by Candida Royalle. The smarmyness of most porn causes many, even among staunch defenders of sexual freedom, to recoil. Not "Revelations." It's a quality product that has an actress who can act, an original sound track, and a story and pro-freedom message that are powerful and moving. The problem with "Revelations" is that the setting is a totalitarian future where the joy of sex is forbidden. That's an important subject, to be sure, but it doesn't make for a good film to watch with your lover when you want to have fun. Candida's newest film definitely goes in the opposite direction. The movie is called "Stud Hunters", and it seems to be designed to prove that you can laugh and be turned on at the same time. There's not as much story in this one as in "Revelations" --it's more of a vignette. The premise is that of a female Director/Producer of "women's erotica" (the actress who plays her claims she's acting out Candida's dark side) and her star (interestingly, the actress who plays her claims she's acting out Candida's good side), who come to New York City, looking for fresh male talent for their next movie. This is typical of Candida's work; it's made primarily for female viewers, sensitive to what women find erotic. So the lead characters are women. Even in the scene that includes a woman and multiple male partners (a common fantasy women have, Candida says), the woman is very much in control of what she does and what happens to her. Some guys might find that the amount of footage devoted to foreplay slows the movie down too much for their tastes. Too bad. Remember that constant cum-shots and close-ups (of what Sunni calls "just moving parts") do not turn most women on. Guys: if you want a woman to watch an erotic movie with you without needing to suppress her gag reflex to avoid ruining your fun, I suggest offering a Candida Royalle movie, or something like it. Enough serious stuff. I said the movie is funny, and humor is clearly a central theme throughout. The casting scenes, where all sorts of men audition before the ladies, are mostly humorous jabs at different male "jerk" stereotypes (can you take it, guys?). But don't worry, female jerks get their due, too: I loved the way the story dealt with the biased feminist reporter who is supposedly researching an expose article. I could even say that the movie has libertarian themes (freedom, individual responsibility, choice, businesswomen as heroines, etc.), but I think that would be a disservice. It is what it is: a fun, funny -- at times even tender -- and very erotic movie. It's also not perfect; I think the most of the cast did a good job, especially the actress playing the actress, but the one playing the Director/Producer got on my nerves. But, you know what? I didn't care. It's still fun, funny -- and maybe even sublime at its best moments. Now, what does this have to do with Doing Freedom? To be honest, nothing, directly. It's not a libertarian movie. Indirectly, I think it's a good, principled, and even useful pro-freedom action to take to support the for-profit work of artists like Candida Royalle. I'd like to see her make a heap of money off this movie, and make lots more movies showing the world that sex isn't evil, and that we don't need any puritan or feminist cops in our bedrooms. I also think the world would be a healthier, happier place if more people could relax about sex, if more people could remember (or learn) that sex is good, clean, healthy fun. For more information about Candida, her work, and where to order her films, see her web site: http://www.candidaroyalle.com/ And there you have it: a solid, pro-freedom reason to buy an X-rated movie. I don't think I've ever suggested a more pleasurable opportunity for activism. As my friend Peter McWilliams used to say: Enjoy!
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