February Announcements

Our next film has been posted.
[box] 9-1/2 Weeks
Adrian Lyne / 1986, USA
118min / digital
A man. A Woman. And an attraction that became an obsession. Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger go on an erotic odyssey in this steamy story of a love affair where secret fantasies and desires come vividly to life on screen. Set against the high-tech backdrop of Manhattan, 9 1/2 weeks is the length of the affair between Elizabeth (a beautiful art dealer) and John (the man who becomes her lover) as they explore their sexual desires with one another. Sizzling and sexy, 9 ½ WEEKS is sure to rev up your Valentine’s eve.
DISCLOSURE: This film depicts non-negotiated D/s and non-consensual sexual situations.
Showtimes: Wednesday February 14 – 645pm
at the Grand Illusion Cinema[/box]
Originally, 9 ½ Weeks was scheduled for November and then the shocking allegations against Harvey Weinstein were dominating headlines and it seemed like an inordinately bad moment to promote a film that was surrounded by controversy at the time of it’s release due to the abuse that Kim Basinger endured on set during filming.
But we knew with our goal to examine the good, the bad, and the sometimes downright exploitative cinema that constitutes of history of sex on the silver screen that we cannot avoid problematic works. So instead of avoiding controversial cinema, we exhibit it while giving space to discuss why a work is problematic and hopefully, why we believe it is an important contribution to our monthly film series.
In 9 ½ Weeks, Elizabeth (Kim Basinger), a recently divorced art gallery assistant, keeps encountering a wealthy wall street broker, John (Mickey Rourke) until they begin a 9 ½ week long affair of erotic games of sexual domination and submission. Finally, Elizabeth must decide what she is willing to endure to be with John.  And this is what makes 9 1/2 Weeks an important contribution to the genre of mainstream erotic film: In Elizabeth’s sexual awakening, the affair with John did happen to her, but overtime, she finds her own voice in the relationship and ultimately decides it’s fate. So while it is far from a perfect film, this is an erotic romance with a heroine with sexual agency.
 We are still soliciting submissions for SECS FEST 2018. We are interested in seeing your erotic shorts & feature length films at our 2018 festival.
The regular submission deadline ends on February 28, so submit before the fees increase.
Submit at filmfreeway.