Indie Sex: Censored (2007 TV Movie) User Reviews

Good Doc

[Michael_Elliott · 4 May 2009]

Inside Sex: Censored (2007)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Nice documentary taking a look at how films have been censored due to sexual acts. There are quite a few movies out there on this topic but this one here does a good job at gathering up the various eras and discussing them. Not only to do we discussions about the Pre-Code era of the 1930s and the breakthrough of the 1970s but we also get those early stag films from 1915 through the 1960s. Also on hand are discussions of the underground filmmakers like Russ Meyer who were creeping nudity into their films and getting them shown around the country. And of course we have discussions about recent films like EYES WIDE SHUT and SHORTBUS. If you know your history on this subject then you're not going to learn too much new stuff here but I love the earlier sections dealing with the pre-code era. I just love how certain people always think that the "early" days of cinema and culture were clean and pure yet they've never done their homework and looked at some of the trash being put out then. Of course, this stuff wasn't being shown in mainstream theaters but it's still out there.

Miss Silly Meets Mr. Pretension

[samkan · 2/10 · 3 July 2009]

This movie has some merit in that it follows the history of sex and censorship in the movies. But ultimately its crap. Much of the film is directors, actors, critics and industry folk opining about censorship, freedom of speech, artistic license, etc. While some of these folks have something to say the overall effect is the same obnoxious, blathering excuse we have heard from prostitutes, pimps, pornographers, etc., since the dawn of time: "The body is beautiful and must be appreciated."....."Sex is natural and we want to be natural"....","Other people should not decide what we can do."..."Freedom of speech is important!", yadda, yadda, yadda. You've heard the same drivel before.

The impact of the movie clearly implies that censorship is bad, the omnipotent "they" or "big brother" is in control,and that rating systems cannot be fairly or effectively applied. There's little counterpoint. I wanted to say to some of the film's commentators: "Maybe censorship DOES protect our children" (one guy does go into such), "Maybe the 'they' (vague censors) are really US and maybe a majority of us don't care for explicit sex.", "Maybe MOST sex on screen isn't for artistic reasons but to sell tickets.", "Maybe screen sex is popular BECAUSE its a vice; i.e., just because we appear to want something doesn't mean its good!"

Again, the majority of the commentators are interesting and I'm guessing they were edited to fit the film makers intended bleating about liberation. Jami Bernard, however, truly believes she knows who we are, what we think and what is best for us and she epitomizes the problem with this poor documentary. Lets hope somebody does the subject better some time soon.