Well, I have been dreading going to this site here, and looking at the information for a BDSM documentary that is coming out. Of course, nothing on the site really gives any information, besides that the name of the file is BDSM: It’s Not What You Think. So, what the hell is it about?
Considering one of the Doms in the film is an adult film star, I’m a bit worried. Yes, he’s been active in the lifestyle for years, but just having a porn star kinda bothers me. Also, the cover art looks like it belongs on a porno, not a documentary that purpose is to change peoples views on kinksters. It also seems to be taking the Doms view, as there is one sub (I think) listed as a crew member.
The main complaint that I, and others, have, is that it is only half an hour of information. How are you going to change the normal views of ANYONE with that much time? I honestly don’t believe that you can. If I think that BDSM is evil, and that it is something that no one should do, I’m going to need much more then thirty minutes for you to change my mind.
Somehow, for such a short film, it’s separated into four chapters. The trailer starts out looking like a porno (some random chic putting on a corset), then goes into the various people in the films views on some aspects of BDSM. My laptop doesn’t do sound well, so I couldn’t really tell what the fuck they were saying, but that’s ok. At least the trailer isn’t a bunch of BDSM play….However, looking at the trailer, they also seem to have a hard on for the leather subculture. Yes, that is what started BDSM being a more mainstream activity, but it’s far from the only thing out there. There is a larger community that seems to have been missed. Again, seems to be.
When it comes out, I’m going to attempt to get a copy of the film. Then, I can give a better idea on what is in it. But, at this point, I’m not holding my breath that it is something that will in any way help the community. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll be some help, but I really doubt it.
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Filed under: BDSM | Tagged: BDSM IT's Not what you think, Documentries, Films |
Gorean Refuge 
There is information there. See the page after Flash uploads it to the 2nd page. It has the navigation bar on the bottom of the page.
Click on the bottom navigation bar:
it is as follows: Trailer, Press Release, About the Process, Cast Bios and Crew Bios, Blog and Screening Dates, Contact.
Upon reading the press and process information you might change your opinion. Come to the opening so you can offer an informed review of the topic and this movie.
Ms. Heart,
I got really little out of everything on the site. Didn’t see the link for the blog, will check it out after I get off of work.
As for the screening. I would love to go, but for two issues. One, I’m in Florida. Two, I just started a new job, and I doubt they’ll let me off for a weekend to go see the screening of a film on BDSM.
As I said, after I can get ahold of a copy, I will watch it, and then give a review. I know that you have a interest in it, however, I’m generally leery about any new docs dealing with ANY subject.
Ths blog spot link is where I mentioned. All the links are on the navigation bar (in white lettering and roll over to a highlighted red) which is located at the bottomeof the page right next to the bottom red square.
This is the E-Blog link:
http://bdsmdocumentary.blogspot.com/
Yes, it is difficult to change people’s minds and opinions in only a half and hour…just like it’s difficult to adequately portray the entire content of a film in a trailer.
I’ve seen the whole film, and it has a thought provokingly positive portrayal of BDSM and lifestyle BDSM. Considering that it was done over a relatively short period of time (months, as opposed to years), they managed to pull together a very diverse cast of people – gay, straight, black, white and latino.
I’ll admit to a slight bias, as I am the random chick who’s featured pulling on a corset. Nonetheless, I decided to participate in the film because I was touched by the fact that a crew of basically vanilla people would make the effort to educate themselves about BDSM and realize that those of us who participate in lifestyle BDSM are, for the most part, sane, sweet, loving people. Now that positive message has been made into a film and is due to be shown at the Frameline festival in San Francisco.
Give it a chance! You may be pleasantly surprised.
Wow, I have never expereinced such a strong (negative) review on something that the reviewer has “NEVER” seen yet! I saw this film’s initial rough cut during their presentation at San Francisco State University over 3 years ago (Department of Public Health and Social Justice/Film Department.). (This information is included on the website under: About the process. Take a look and READ it first.)
Since you say you could not hear the dialogue on the trailer, how can you review it? If you did not bother to read all of the information about the film, the crew, and the press information, how can you review it fairly? This does not ad up.
Anyway…The film’s rough cut was very impressive, informative and quite funny. Their target audience were those who were never exposed to the topic so that they could obtain a cursary introdroduction to the topic. This would inicite further research and investigation on the viewer’s part. The project started out as collaboration between the Master’s of Public Health Department and the Film Making Department at SFSU. These kids put in tireless hours that included: Attending communnity events, classes, engaging in the night life cultures, became allies within the communities, met the movers and shakers in the community, they joined the community, read key literature on the topic and conduced informed interviews with key community players- educators and etc. They really did a wonderful job of completed their final thesis assignment .
The audience consisted of Students, Friends and Family plus instructors. The overall respose to the first screening was overwhelming positive!!!
Tee-Girl: Ummm….that wasn’t a review. That was my thoughts on something that hasn’t come out yet. As I stated, once I can get a copy, then I will give a review. As of now, I’m a little iffy. I hate documentaries as it is, but I’m willing to put that aside to watch this.
I saw this wonderful information packed final version at the Film Festival Last night. We have a winner!
Excellent re-edits, humorous as heck and excellent all around.
I hope the get the copyright permissions approved so they can finally distribute and sell the film to wider audiences. For now, it legally can be shown at Film Festivals.
So, any chance you have seen this documentary yet?
I realize you are no longer updating the site but I would hope at the very least you would come back and post an educated opinion of something you so easily claimed wariness about.
I have seen the movie, in a rough cut and the final cut. Not only was it informative and real it was something that people not in the community can really learn from.
The movie is out on the 15th of this month in case you need to track a copy down.
Lack of a job for most of two years has kept me mostly offline, and not able to get ahold of the doc. Will see if anyone I know has a copy of it.
Do you think BDSM should be included in a religious lifestyle?
http://unscrupulouspagans.wordpress.com/