Sick (1997)

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis from a young age, performance artist Bob Flanagan shared his life and pain in his art, usually through sadomasochistic practices.

Director:

Kirby Dick

Stars:

Bob Flanagan, Sheree Rose, Kathe Burkhart

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Kathe Burkhart	...	Interviewer
Kirby Dick	...	Interviewer
Bob Flanagan	...	Self
Sheree Rose	...	Self
Rita Valencia	...	Interviewer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sarah Doucette	...	Self
Richard Kopelle	...	Self

Storyline

Documentary about writer and performance artist Bob Flanagan who died at 43 of cystic fibrosis. His life was indicated by pain from the beginning and he started to develop sadomasochistic practices, which he developed finally into performances.

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Plot Keywords:

cystic fibrosis | sexual sadism | mutilation | genital mutilation | body modification | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot over a period of two years and compiled from over 100 hours of footage.

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Quotes

Bob Flanagan: I want a wealthy collector to finance an installation in which a video camera will be placed in the coffin with my body, connected to a screen on the wall, and whenever he wants to, the patron can see how I'm coming along.

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Alternate Versions

The 2001 UK release was cut by over three minutes. The cuts required were to two scenes showing strong sado-masochistic activity (asphyxiation, the piercing of the skin of the penis, the insertion of a large metal ball into the rectum, the hammering of a nail through the tip of the penis) which would be highly dangerous if copied and which are likely to encourage imitation in viewers with an existing interest in sado-masochistic activity. The cuts were made in accordance with the terms of the Video Recordings Act 1984 which requires the Board to have special regard to harm which may be caused to viewers or to society through the actions of viewers. In 2009 all the cuts were waived and it was passed with an uncut '18' certificate.

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Connections

References Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

User Reviews

A Bizarre Look

Documentary about writer and performance artist Bob Flanagan who died at 43 of cystic fibrosis. His life was indicated by pain from the beginning and he started to develop sadomasochistic practices, which he developed finally into performances.

Flanagan is featured in the widely banned music video for the song "Happiness in Slavery" by Nine Inch Nails. This is how he was first known to me, and I became interested in him as part of 1990s counter-culture (if such a thing exists). I was aware of this documentary, but never saw it until now (2014).

Roger Ebert reviewed the film quite favorably and said it "is one of the most agonizing films I have ever seen" and Flanagan "was a wry, witty, funny man who saw the irony of his own situation." That is, indeed, what makes it special. A dying man who hurts himself is interesting, but Flanagan has a certain level of charisma that makes him simultaneously revolting and alluring.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sick

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$86,917, 23 November 1997

Gross USA:

$116,806

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sick-the Life and Death of Bob Flanagan-Supermasochist

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color