Made in Secret: The Story of the East Van Porn Collective (2005)

Director:

One Tiny Whale

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

This is what democracy looks like naked.

Plot:

A thought-provoking and genre-bending look behind the scenes of what might be the world's only underground DIY anarcho-feminist porn collective. |

Plot Keywords:

DIY | Collective | Female Nudity | Mutual Aid | Bicycle

Cast

Hugh Jorgen
Muffy LaRue
Nerdgirl
J.D. Superstar
Mr. Pants
Monster
Professor University

Runtime:

Canada:86 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

East Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Soundtrack:

Long Hard Rush

When disappointment turns to admiration

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I was fascinated by the maturity level of these people - that they could disagree strongly, nearly fight with each other and yet keep their calm and poise. I was struck by the honesty of these people, with each other and with the camera. I was struck by how odd, yet interesting, that a lesbian would want a "gay men" scene and a "straight" scene - seemed like the reasoning of a person who is not so selfish as to want to exclude the rest of the "collective".

*************SPOILERS******************

The next night, we watched the DVD extras and I was angry when they revealed that it was scripted, not quite real. I completely understood the couple that called them "fakers" on the street. At first, I felt that way, as well. I think I was hurt that all of the stripped down feelings they had as a reasonable group were a sham. But, as I listened to their explanations of what they had done and I chatted with my husband about it, I began to really admire what these people created.

Using Geores Braque's definition, "art is meant to disturb". What they created is art. It disturbed me. I suppose that the base reason I am most disquieted about the film is that only someone viewing the extras can be sure it was a fictional piece. Many people, like me, will leave the film thinking it was all factual. With the age of DVDs, perhaps it is a moot point since most people watch the extras, but there are still bound to be those who took it at face value and still believe it was "real" - so I am still a bit miffed about that, but not much.

************END OF SPOILERS********************************

I hope that people will actually give this movie a chance to work it's magic. The spell it casts is worthwhile. There is genius in this work!