Having some friends that are into BDSM I've seen and read a bit about the subculture. With that in mind I was excited to see this documentary. While technically OK(lighting sound etc) the film was a bore. First, it's not really a film about BDSM, it's a film about a company that makes BDSM movies for public consumption with actors who aren't all in the BDSM community. Even with that caveat there was a rich opportunity to explore this interesting subculture through the lens of the corporation. But what we get instead is interviews with employees, many of whom are far from articulate or perhaps have reservations about being nuanced about something their paycheck depends on. No interviews with consumers, no history of the industry to set the stage for Kinks place in time. No discussion of San Francisco as a unique place that allows a business like Kink to thrive, let alone discuss the neighborhood the armory is in and it's effects. This was little more than a milquetoast ad for a million dollar corporation. It's a shame considering the wealth of material the director could have used to make an insightful film.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Shottas
(2002)
Shottas AKA Belly Up
11 June 2008
I had read much about this film before I actually saw it. It has been circulating around for quite some time and has subsequently gained a cult following. With that in mind I was actually looking forward to seeing this film.This movie could have been good. Instead it squandered any quality on cheap cliché and stereotypes. It comes off as Belly light. Only Ky-Mani Marleys' and Louie Rankins acting is any good. The rest of the cast is your typical b-movie thespian. Everything is very formulaic in this film. On a brighter note the soundtrack is very good. I am sure a lot of people would enjoy this movie. But even for mindless shoot em up entertainment this film falls flat.
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