CineKinkster

Taking it to the White House

2009-06-30T09:36:00.012-05:00

CineKink alumni director Scott Bloom (CineKink '06 & '08) reports that a copy of his amazing documentary, Call Me Troy, was handed off to Michelle Obama during yesterday's meet-up with LGBT community leaders.

A profile of gay rights activist and founder of Metropolitan Community Churches, Rev. Troy Perry, the work is an important chronicle of the fight for sexual freedom and a moving tribute to a man who proclaimed that sexuality and religion - Christianity, even! - need not be separate.

Here's hoping the President makes time in his schedule for a screening and, inspired by Troy's example, room in his heart to be a truly "fierce advocate" for LGBT rights.

Oh, Farrah

2009-06-25T23:26:00.003-05:00

At one point in time, we thought we wanted to be her. Now, looking back on this scene from the camp classic, Myra Breckinridge, we suspect another slightly confused dynamic might also have been at play.

A fond farewell. (And a bonus sighting of film critic Rex Reed!)

'Sex Positive' in NYC - this weekend!

2009-06-11T12:15:00.007-05:00

The CineKink award-winning documentary Sex Positive, a compelling history of safer sex and profile of activist Richard Berkowitz, who helped pioneer the concept, opens this weekend in NYC at The Quad. A special Q&A featuring Richard and the film's director, Daryl Wein, will be held after the 7:45 ~~& 9:45~~ screenings on Friday through Sunday.

Dates have also been announced for LA and San Francisco, but a good turn-out this weekend will help the film get booked into other cities.

A must-see!

Bring it, America!

2009-06-09T14:31:00.006-05:00

We originally noticed the art form in conjunction with the first annual Air Sex World Championship, held last fall in Austin, but haven't yet witnessed the act first-hand.

That will change this week--for much of America--as the competition takes to the road in search of this year's champion Air Sex performer. Kicking off tonight in Atlanta, the tour takes place over the next three weeks in cities across the nation.

Think you've got what it takes? Take a peek at last year's action for some guidelines and be prepared to serve it up!

Oh, TED

2009-06-02T12:49:00.004-05:00

As part of the prestigious TED lecture series, Bonk author Mary Roach dips into scientific research to share "Ten things you didn't know about orgasm."

Or maybe you did, but diverting nonetheless.

More "do me," less DOMA!

2009-05-27T09:48:00.009-05:00

While it's common belief that each letter received from a constituent represents at least 100 others who held that particular opinion, we're unsure of the equivalency of a mailed flip flop. What is clear, however, is that in the month ahead, President Obama has the opportunity to stand aside and let a lawsuit against the Defense of Marriage Act move forward unchallenged.

A law the President himself has described as "abhorrent," DOMA, which prohibits the Federal recognition of same-sex unions, has been taken on in a lawsuit filed by several Massachusetts couples. And the folks at Operation DOMA Flip Flop want to make sure that President Obama stays true to his principles and refuses to defend the unconstitutional statute:

The decision must come down by June 29th, so whether you choose to send a flip flop--or perhaps a respectful-yet-compelling missive neatly written on a sheet of fine stationery--you have only a limited time to weigh in with your opinion.

Got gang bang?

2009-05-19T11:07:00.004-05:00

It's been awhile since our college German studies, but still fairly easy to get the gist of what she's saying...

Ja?

(Snagged via Leather Yenta and apparently from the television show Switch Reloaded )

Hey, Chicago....!

2009-05-01T13:56:00.006-05:00

We're looking forward to a full CineKink: Chicago tour run later in the season, but you're in for a tantalizing appetizer this Saturday, when CineKink will be part of an open house taking place at the Leather Archives & Museum.

As part of the event, we'll be offering up a few of our favorite shorts for your viewing pleasure:

Coming Out Spanko
Keeping a video diary of her thoughts, a woman contemplates her entry into a world of kink and her place within it. (Directed by Tanya Bezreh, USA, 15 minutes)

Who's The Top?
In this fantastical S/M musical comedy, one writer finds her true self by determining who's the bottom. (Directed by Jennie Livingston, USA, 22 minutes)

Drop by to tour the museum galleries, take in our flicks, enjoy tasty refreshments and meet up with other Chicago-area kinksters.

Leather Archives & Museum
6418 N Greenview Ave, Chicago

Saturday, May 2 / 3-5 pm

Admission is FREE!

I am a sex worker.

2009-04-30T14:46:00.005-05:00

This PSA was created by the first-ever participants in Speak Up!, a new training program presented by Sex Work Awareness.

It's great to see sex activists taking up media tools and producing their own representations!

A fleeting f*@&!

2009-04-28T21:06:00.001-05:00

The Supreme Court has upheld a crackdown by the Federal Communications Commission on the use of indecent language--even the fleeting utterance of a single expletive--on broadcast television. At least for now...

An earlier federal appeals panel had overturned recent FCC policy, which had arisen largely in response to brief and spontaneous exclamations during live awards programs from the likes of Cher, Bono and Nicole Richie, chiefly involving the ever-popular and--as referred to by the court-- "f-" and "s-" words.

This latest decision supports the FCC's contention that profanity referring to sex or excrement is always indecent, no matter the context. But, as noted in an AP account of the court's ruling:

Justice John Paul Stevens said in dissent that the FCC missed the mark in failing to distinguish how the offending words are used. "As any golfer who has watched his partner shank a short approach knows," said Stevens, an avid golfer, "it would be absurd to accept the suggestion that the resultant four-letter word uttered on the golf course describes sex or excrement.

While today's ruling dealt solely with whether the FCC had followed proper administrative procedures in establishing the new policy, still to be addressed is whether or not the restrictions are constitutional in the first place, with promising glimmers that the entire question of limits on broadcast speech may be reconsidered whole hog. Though Justice Clarence Thomas sided with the majority on this ruling, the AP story continues, he noted that the court's previous decision and an even earlier case "were unconvincing when they were issued, and the passage of time has only increased doubt regarding their continued validity."

The last major ruling by the Supreme Court on broadcast indecency was in 1978, when it upheld the FCC's case involving George Carlin's classic "seven dirty words," as so infamously recounted below:

Instant replay?

2009-04-21T10:53:00.002-05:00

No...make that "play and instant replay."

Another blast from the past, the ad--depicting only "one of thousands of ways to get it on"--promised anyone buying an AKAI video system would be invited to a video taping session with a Penthouse Pet of the Month, such as December 1971's Lynn Parlington, as featured here. Anyone get an offer like that from Sony?

(Full version at Vintage Ads, snagged via joebehrsandiego)

Beyond the green door

2009-04-13T13:41:00.006-05:00

Marilyn Chambers starred in the very first porn we ever encountered, Behind the Green Door--which we snuck into with some high school girlfriends back in the day--and it's sad to be passing along the news that the iconic adult film star has died.

Here, in a 1977 interview on Al Goldstein's cable series, Midnight Blue, Marilyn discusses her break into movies, her projects of the time and a forthright enjoyment of kinky sex and S/M...

Hippity, hoppity!

2009-04-12T16:31:00.002-05:00

Enjoy the day, however--and with whomever--you best see fit!

Other goings-on...

2009-03-26T23:22:00.009-05:00

Don't forget about our CineKink @ KGB screening on Sunday, but a few other (lots, actually!) kink-culture possibilities ahead...

American Swing (NYC)
The new documentary about the rise and fall of Plato's Retreat, the infamous NYC swing club, opens this weekend at the Quad Cinema, with directors Mathew Kaufman and Jon Hart on hand for a Q&A following the Friday, 3/27 @ 8pm screening.

Darklady's Debbie Does Dallas Classic Dinner & Porn Date Night
The title kind of says it all, another evening of dinner, movies and other amusements, this time featuring Debbie Does Dallas and Debbie Does Dallas...Again ... Saturday, March 28.

Buck Angel Uncensored (Toronto)
CineKink alumnus Buck Angel will discuss the ups and downs of ushering a new genre of porn into the adult entertainment industry--how he started and then the pitfalls, obstacles, and joys along the way - Sunday, March 29.

Get Naked with disTHIS (NYC)
Disabilities Network screens the acclaimed documentary Naked on the Inside, along with the short works G.I.M.P. Boot Camp and CineKink award-winning Loree Erickson's Sexxxy ... Monday, March 30.

Pleasure Salon Second Anniversary (NYC)
Has it really been two years already? Created to build networks in the sex-positive community and a place for the open exchange of ideas and sensual expression, this month's Pleasure Salon also celebrates an anniversary... Wednesday, April 1.

Special sneak preview...American Swing

2009-03-20T03:38:00.003-05:00

The Museum of Sex and Magnolia Pictures invite CineKinksters to a special advance screening of American Swing, the new documentary about the rise and fall of the infamous NYC swing club, Plato's Retreat...

Monday, March 23rd @ 7:30PM

Museum of Sex
233 Fifth Avenue, NYC

RSVP required to:
sylvia@ddanielspr.net

Please note ‘CineKink” in your RSVP – we have a limited number of seats available, so act quickly!

The year was 1977 and New York City burned. As the metropolis hurtled into bankruptcy, the city's nightlife hit unprecedented heights. In midtown, the ultra-exclusive Studio 54 was a cocaine-fueled celebrity playhouse. Downtown, at the spartan CBGB's, punk rockers set out to destroy everything Pop. Meanwhile, in the basement of the prestigious Ansonia building on the conservative Upper West Side, Plato's Retreat opened its doors to ordinary couples who came to dance, to swim, and...to swap.

Includes a post-screening Q&A with co-directors Mathew Kaufman and Jon Hart.

American Swing will open in New York on March 27th at the Quad Cinema and in Los Angeles on April 3 at the Sunset 5.

Pictures!

2009-03-16T13:59:00.006-05:00

We loved Stacie Joy's coverage of last year's CineKink gala festivities so much, we brought her back to take photos of the whole of it. And here are the colorful results!

Along with some images from intrepid blogger/CineKink juror extraordinaire, Viviane, doing a bit of ~~double~~triple duty with the camera:

You be the judge!

2009-03-10T13:56:00.005-05:00

You put all that time in the seats, be sure to let us know what you think!

Our CineKink community on B-Side gives you the ability to rate your favorites (and, though hard to fathom, not-so-favorites) and leave reviews on the films you saw throughout the festival.

These reviews are keenly anticipated by our filmmakers, fellow audience members, other festival programmers and all of us at CineKink, as we use them to help determine and promote bookings for our upcoming tour appearances.

All you need to take part is an email address, just register here and pass along your thoughts.

And the winner is...

2009-03-05T19:02:00.021-05:00

Slightly delayed by the lingering effect of--and subsequent recovery from-- our ever-popular AfterGlow Party, here at long last are the CineKink awards for 2009!

"CineKink Choice" - AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
CineKink Choice awards, which go to feature-length works in competition during the festival, were determined by audience balloting at the close of each eligible work's screening. The 2009 award winners are:

CineKink Choice Award for Best Narrative Feature:
"The Auteur" (James Westby)

CineKink Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature:
“Graphic Sexual Horror” (Barbara Bell & Anna Lorentzon)
-tie-
“Kinky” (A. Benjamin)

CineKink Choice Award - Honorable Mentions:
“Happy Endings?” (Tara Hurley)
Sex Positive” (Daryl Wein)

"CineKink Best" - JURY AWARD FOR BEST SHORTS
CineKink Best awards, which go to short works in competition during the festival, were determined by jury deliberation and ranking. The 2009 award winners are:

CineKink Best Narrative Short
“Kink, Inc.” (Casey Clark)
-tie-
“Matinee” (Jennifer Lyon Bell)

CineKink Best Documentary Short:
“Serving Madame Gina” (Gabriele Hoff, PsyD)

CineKink Best Experimental Short:
“Erotic Moments” (Eva Midgley)
-tie-
“Un Piede di Roman Polanski” (Lauren Wissot & Rosanne Kapitoa)

CineKink Best Animated Short:
"Teat Beat of Sex: 8-11" (Signe Baumane)

CineKink Best Musical Short:
“At the Porno Shop” (Michael Mehfield)

CineKink Honorable Best Mentions:
“BDSM: It’s Not What You Think” (Erin Palmquist)
“Belle de Nature” (Maria Beatty)
“Rubberheart” (Brian Crano)

This year's jury included Steven Speliotis, a photographer and CineKink alumni director, Viviane, ring-leader of the sex blog, "Viviane's Sex Carnival, and Bill Woods, a film festival programmer and curator of the New Filmmakers series at Anthology Film Archives.

"CineKink Tribute" - FESTIVAL AWARD FOR EXTRAORDINARY DEPICTION OF KINK & SEX IN MAINSTREAM FILM & TELEVISION
Recognizing extraordinary depiction of kink and sex in mainstream film and television, the annual CineKink Tribute was presented to two works this year:

"Swingtown" (CBS)
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS)

Honorable Mentions (aka the CineKink Nod)
"Burn After Reading" (Focus Features)
"How I Met Your Mother" (CBS)

Many thanks and congratulations to this year's CineKink award winners - and to all of our ultra-talented filmmakers!

For more details on all of the award winning works...

At the movies...

2009-02-25T11:45:00.000-05:00

Come join us...!

CineKink-at-a-Glance!

2009-02-16T10:52:00.005-05:00

We hope you're using your time to rest up and get ready for the festivities, as CineKink NYC is set for its return appearance February 24th to March 1st, with a jam-packed schedule full of things you won't want to miss.

Tuesday, February 24
8:00 pm - Kick-Off Gala & Fundraiser

Wednesday, February 25
6:45 pm - Sex Positive
9:00 pm - MindFLESH

Thursday, February 26
6:45 pm - Whips & Restraint
9:00 pm - Lipsticks & Crinoline

Friday, February 27
6:45 pm - The Workshop
9:00 pm - Wanton Female Desire
11:10 pm - Graphic Sexual Horror

Saturday, February 28
12:30 pm - Kinky
2:30 pm - Happy Endings?
4:30 pm - Marta's Sex Tape
6:45 pm - Twisted Knickers
9:00 pm - The Auteur
11:10 pm - Bring It! (adult cinema showcase)

Sunday, March 1
6:00 pm - Awards Celebration
8:30 pm - AfterGlow Party!

For all the salacious details, visit http://www.cinekink.bside/films/ and
click on the films and events like to know more about.

Amuse bouche?

2009-02-06T14:47:00.011-05:00

As we continue to tinker behind the scenes on CineKink NYC, coming up February 24th to March 1st, let us whet your appetite with this tasty morsel, a glimpse at The Auteur, a mélange of romantic comedy and raunchy satire that tells the story of renowned porn director Arturo Domingo, creative genius behind such classics as Five Easy Nieces and Requiem for a Wet Dream:

We've been admiring The Auteur from afar for quite awhile now and we're delighted to give this sweetly smutty film a stellar CineKink showcase slot--Saturday, February 28 @ 9 PM.

Hope you'll join us!

Coming soon!

2009-02-03T13:30:00.000-05:00

As you're hopefully well aware by now, CineKink NYC is getting set for its sixth annual appearance February 24-March 1, 2009, again bringing you a specially-curated program of films and videos that celebrate and explore a wide diversity of sexuality.

While we fine-tune and finesse the last details of the program line-up, to be announced very soon, be sure to block out your calendar so you don't miss a single second of the CineKinky wonders!

Tuesday, February 24 - 8 pm/Kick-Off Gala

2/25 - 6:45 pm/+ Screenings @ Anthology Film Archives
2/26 - 6:45 pm/+ Screenings @ Anthology Film Archives
2/27 - 6:45 pm/+ Screenings @ Anthology Film Archives
2/28 - 12:30 pm/+ Screenings @ Anthology Film Archives

Sunday, March 1
6 pm/Awards Celebration
8 pm/AfterGlow Party

More info...soon!

Hey, where's our tribute?!

2009-01-29T13:24:00.010-05:00

Or where's your nomination, rather, which we're currently accepting for the CineKink Tribute, an annual award that honors outstanding depictions of kink and sex-positivity in mainstream film and television.

Last year's CineKink Tribute was presented to the film Shortbus-- which was directed by our long-time nemesis, John Cameron Mitchell, and distributed by ThinkFilm--for its "frank, funny and human look at the inextricable role sexuality plays in our day-to-day lives and the many flavors it can exhibit."

Meanwhile, honorable mentions (aka the CineKink Nod) went to Focus Feature's Lust, Caution, to ThinkFilm's documentary release Zoo and to the syndicated series, The Oprah Winfrey Show. (Yes, that Oprah...for the episode "237 Reasons to Have Sex"!) (You thought there were only 236?)

A wide range of works--will it be Tyra?--are eligible for consideration, as long as they were released for US distribution (theatrical, broadcast and/or cable) at any time in 2008. Winners will be announced in conjunction with CineKink NYC, which is coming up February 24-March 1, 2009.

So, who's gonna take it home this year? Let us know!

Back soon...

2009-01-21T15:09:00.005-05:00

We've got our shirt-sleeves pushed back and we're culling through all of the film and video submissions we received, hard at work creating the best, new CineKink NYC possible for your future!

See you shortly...

Rated X in Amsterdam!

2009-01-15T22:05:00.001-05:00

For those of you fortunate enough to find yourself in Amsterdam this weekend--or with the wherewithal to grab a last-minute red-eye across the Atlantic--be sure to drop in for the cinematic antics at Rated X!

More tongue-twistingly known as the Amsterdam Alternative Erotica Film Festival and curated in part by our good friend and CineKink alum Jennifer Lyon Bell, the event promises "big-screen sexuality coming from a myriad of different angles and artistic perspectives." We'll be mixing it up--at least on that big screen--with CineKink's "Kinky Bits," a program featuring such favorites as Anonymity, Coming Out Spanko, Namaha Man, guy101, Hitchcocked, Who's The Top and Married with Children.

Also around for the festivities will be Maria Beatty and Tony Comstock, each of whom will be enjoying a retrospective moment in the spotlight, along with a veritable reunion of CineKink alumni. Past and--we certainly hope--future.

~~Hope to~~wish we could see you there!