tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57779441969710581052024-09-22T15:12:53.819-07:00An independent, feature documentary film about the Kuta Cowboys, the beach boys who have made Bali a leading destination for female sex tourists.Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-75329711436481422452013-06-24T11:30:00.000-07:002013-06-25T06:19:27.548-07:00

Here's the trailer for my latest documentary, Menstrual Man. The film tells the inspiring story of A. Muruganantham, the unlikely visionary whose low-cost sanitary pad machines are empowering rural women across India. We're kinda-sorta still doing the festival thing. Premiered the film at Full Frame Documentary Festival (Durham, NC) in April. Then in May, we screened it at Hot Docs, where it

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-35967569556525707512013-03-31T22:24:00.000-07:002013-03-31T22:24:05.968-07:00

The ISIS and AMES departments at Duke are generously hosting a screening of "Cowboys" on April 4th. (Gratitude in heaps to @adelinekoh who helped organise the event.) I'll be there to do a short Q&A after. Since I'll be in town anyway for the "Menstrual Man" world premiere the following day, I might as well grab some free coffee and donuts. I'm excited, of course, but also a tad nervous.

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-52806240686356375462013-02-10T15:12:00.000-08:002013-02-10T15:13:17.458-08:00

Grabbed this off Tapiture, so it's veracity is up for debate. According to the caption, Ms. Samuel makes up to $260 a day offering warm cuddles to vets and pensioners in Rochester, NY. Good. Everybody needs someone to hold from time to time.

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-1525591530205360432012-04-08T03:32:00.015-07:002012-04-08T05:09:40.393-07:00

@adelinekoh's been up to all kinds of good lately, employing Twitter as an engagement tool in her Cultural Studies and Feminist Theory courses. (I introduced Adeline in the previous post. She's an Asst. Professor of Literature up at Richard Stockton College, NJ.)A recent assignment in her Seminar in Feminist Theory course required students to live-tweet while watching Eat, Pray, Love and Cowboys

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-54565802095558148482012-04-06T08:06:00.000-07:002012-11-16T21:55:41.307-08:00

A new film competing at Cannes this year explores the phenomenon of European female sex tourists in Kenya. It's supposedly the first in a planned trilogy, but I'm going ahead and claiming it as Cowboys in Paradise, Part III. Sure, it's not a documentary. And it's set in Kenya, which is not, like, a part of Indonesia or anything. But the film's called Paradise: Love. Close enough.

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-72574828476080444672011-11-27T20:26:00.003-08:002012-03-29T06:07:59.736-07:00

Just read Adeline Koh's review of "Cowboys in Paradise" in Films for the Feminist Classroom. An assistant professor of literature at Richard Stockton College, Adeline had screened the film for a capstone class in the Women, Gender and Sexuality studies program. (You can order your academic screening copy here.)Her much-too-generous review praises the film for:(Calling to) attention the critique

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-50848055591811484572011-08-03T06:45:00.000-07:002011-08-04T04:59:46.474-07:00

Caught up with Ryan Ver Berkmoes last Sunday. He's the co-author of Lonely Planet Bali & Lombok, and we'd first exchanged emails last year when he wanted to review "Cowboys in Paradise" for the guide's 2011 edition. On route from Bali to Portland, Journeyman Berkmoes had a few hours to kill in Singapore, so a round of drinks were in order.After knocking my beloved Austin ("I don't care! It's

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-77216944298362981822011-05-23T22:00:00.000-07:002011-05-23T22:19:28.114-07:00

Interesting discussion started by an American woman who got pregnant while traveling in Bali. She wonders if she should take her baby girl to visit her father in Indonesia. Forum members advise her on things she needs to consider first. (Thanks for the link, Jay)

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-15297813826954473712011-04-12T14:48:00.000-07:002011-04-12T15:21:57.143-07:00

"Cowboys in Paradise" will screen at the Asian Art Museum (AAM), San Francisco, on April 14th, 6:00pm. Screening's free with museum admission and I'll be doing a Skype Q&A after. (Only the former is a good reason for you to attend.)AAM's also got plenty of other Bali-related events and exhibitions lined up all the way through to September. Check them out, then go check them out!

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-28081798001542273762011-04-04T10:26:00.000-07:002011-04-04T14:56:13.614-07:00

Still from "Cowboys in Paradise".Beth A. caught "Cowboys" and wrote in to say:"... horrified by the scene where the man says some yoga practitioners tell him not to use condoms cos his energy is clean. WTF! Really hope you told him about the risks of sexually transmitted diseases."Wasn't my place to mount the soapbox. It's clear from that scene that most Cowboys know the risks. He certainly did,

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-91472985942422389762011-03-28T11:26:00.000-07:002011-03-29T09:32:02.612-07:00

"Cowboys in Paradise" will screen this Thursday, March 31st, at Richard Stockton College, NJ, as part of the "Eat, Pray, Love and Contemporary Orientalism - An Asian Response" programme.Advance props to students Stephanie Cawley and Leah Shockley who will lead a post-screening discussion, and my thanks to A. Prof. Adeline Koh for organising the event.Full screening details (though I reckon it's a

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-80767692014591476442011-03-14T09:33:00.000-07:002011-03-14T12:59:06.488-07:00

The abridged TV cut of "Cowboys in Paradise" -- re-titled "Women Who Buy Love" -- aired on Sweden's SVT channel recently.If comments posted on Genus Nytt (in Swedish) are anything to go by, some men are peeved by how the film, and society at large, regard female sex tourists differently from their male counterparts. It's a familiar argument: "When women do it, they're looking for romance, just

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-68267389833075368552011-02-06T07:55:00.000-08:002011-02-06T08:01:22.212-08:00

In Canada? Watch "Cowboys in Paradise" on The Passionate Eye, CBC News Network at 10PM ET/PT tomorrow. (Note: This will be the one-hour broadcast version. For the full-length feature cut - yes, yes, with the 'the vagina stone' and all - head here.)

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-84830209241855070162011-01-22T01:18:00.000-08:002011-01-24T14:57:54.715-08:00

Listening to Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier talk about "Cowboys in Paradise" was all kinds of fanboy-cool for me. (Warning: explicit stuff. It's Kevin Smith, mmkay?)

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-41978868598730923132011-01-20T14:32:00.000-08:002011-01-24T14:58:43.009-08:00

After all the ho-humming, "Cowboys in Paradise" has released. Watch the full 82-minute version here. Folks in US & Canada can also download/rent off iTunes.

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-48473652639336265092011-01-19T05:45:00.000-08:002011-01-19T05:46:00.543-08:00

We postponed our Summer 2010 release. Then we missed our one shot at being a "Christmas film". I supposed we could wait till this Valentine's Day to release "Cowboys" but word has it Justin Bieber will own all eyeballs in February. (In 3D to boot, the little cheat!)Anyway, folks on our Facebook page and mailing list, and those who've checked in on us from time to time... this is for you. Thanks

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-82182245400019823232011-01-13T17:18:00.000-08:002011-01-17T17:59:35.686-08:00

Via Feministing & Tom and Lorenzo...Someone at Vogue Paris thought having six year old models pimp couture was... what? Edgy? A social commentary on these times? You can see the full campaign here...But as dolled up girls go, the PSA below merits more attention.

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-53057632792062998632011-01-05T11:40:00.000-08:002011-08-04T05:01:52.035-07:00

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-67315255292276990362010-12-02T03:17:00.000-08:002010-12-02T03:33:50.026-08:00

Graeme Taylor wondered what would happen if he made the camera a fast-moving object. He lost me on the fps calculations, but the result is lovely. Lovelier if you watch while listening to this.Via Capndesign thru Kottke.org.

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-77799144144876141252010-11-28T12:49:00.000-08:002010-11-29T10:16:59.664-08:00

Thanks for the link, Donna L. Hadn't seen this one before. And the "smells like Gelato, which is Italian ice cream" bit made me want to poke my eyes out too.The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cBack in Black - Eat Pray LoveDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorThe Daily Show on Facebook

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-45592631493614905372010-11-28T07:33:00.001-08:002010-11-28T07:34:51.307-08:00

"To be a tourist is to escape accountability. Errors and failings don't cling to you the way they do back home."- Don DeLillo, The Names

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-7122709481475528752010-11-18T13:08:00.000-08:002010-11-18T20:43:14.429-08:00

Sexologist learns a thing or two watching "Cowboys in Paradise". Full review here **with potential spoilers**.(Thanks to Dr. Martha Lee. And to HC for the link.)

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-55236402101337745952010-11-16T23:43:00.000-08:002010-11-16T23:53:29.217-08:00

Few more screenings added for Singapore. Here's a full list of remaining sessions.Thu, Nov 18: 700pmThu, Nov 18: 900pmSun, Nov 21: 330pmSun, Nov 21: 730pmMon, Nov 22: 730pmTue, Nov 23: 730pmWed, Nov 24: 730pmAll at The Arts House. Online ticketing through www.bytes.sgMy thanks to everyone who caught the film and recommended it further.

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-16368081006200984852010-11-15T10:04:00.000-08:002010-11-18T13:18:31.258-08:00

Loved this piece on "Cowboys in Paradise" in Yawning Bread. For one thing, it's a favourable review. Flattering, even.Mostly, though, I'm grateful to Au Waipang for recognizing the film's efforts to present "the situational complexities and human frailties" surrounding its subject. Even if he had disliked the film, it would be enough.P.S. What he overhears some audience members discussing after

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777944196971058105.post-62891786457378833002010-11-15T07:02:00.000-08:002010-11-15T07:17:05.414-08:00

We've added 3 extra screenings at The Arts House this week.Wed, Nov 17 - 330pmThu, Nov 18 - 7pm & 9pmTicketing through www.bytes.sgMy thanks to all who caught the film & passed a good word along!

Amit Virmanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240101449911749476noreply@blogger.com0