Hollywood is notorious for attempting to push the envelope where decency is concerned. But as much as Tinseltown’s directors love flaunting skin to bring in big dollars, there still exists a conservative attitude where certain subject matter is concerned. It seems that despite a desire to tantalize the public into ticket sales, mainstream filmmakers are hesitant to go too far. For this reason, many people turn to foreign or independent films.
Independent movies (or indie flicks) have a way of affecting the public not only in their subject matter, but also in how topics are portrayed on screen. The elaborate, and sometimes overtly sexual images depicted in these movies may seem gratuitous at best. But many will argue that the explicit nature of particular scenes is imperative in getting certain ideas across. Conservative movie-watchers may liken these movies to virtual “smut.” But therein lies the controversy that draws a huge number of fans. Here are some of independent cinema’s most explicit movies. Do their racy (and sometimes violent) scenes enhance or take away from the films’ artistic value? You decide…
Caligula (1979)
Directed by controversial filmmaker Tinto Brass, this movie’s title was smeared by an association with Penthouse magazine. Based on the historical figure Julius Caesar and his cruel perversity, the film was fraught with simulated and unsimulated sexual acts. Roger Ebert called the movie “…utterly worthless, shameful trash.” Perhaps Caligula’s sordid nature could have been presented in a more demure fashion. But in the eyes of many, the explicit nature of this film called to public attention, the depravity that clearly existed in ancient times.
Ken Park (2002)
Director Larry Clark is infamous for his controversial films portraying under-aged actors. In Ken Park, his unambiguous peek into teen sexuality is covered in such a way that makes many quite uncomfortable. Sure, people know that issues such as statutory rape, incest, and teen suicide exist in the world. But seeing these things displayed in an unsimulated manner on screen is a different story all together.
Baise Moi (2000)
Baise Moi is a French “action-thriller” that was actually banned in its country of origin. Filled with gratuitous (real) sex and violence, the movie follows a pair of female vigilantes who take out their personal frustrations (of which they have many) in any number of undesirable ways. Most people have difficulty finding any artistic merit in such a film, as it stars (and involves) a number of people from the porn industry. But in some countries, the movie was billed as a more artistic version of Thelma & Louise.
I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
This revenge flick makes for uncomfortable viewing based on its graphic and torturous rape scene. But sparking even more contention is the main character’s method of revenge itself. The movie could easily champion Girl Power, and women’s general refusal to become victims. But in the minds of many, this sentiment is lost in the gratuitous nature in which the scenes are portrayed.
Brown Bunny (2004)
Actor Vincent Gallo is no stranger to controversy. His intricate existence in the entertainment industry has found him in any number of interesting occupations. But his film, Brown Bunny (he directs and stars) that centers on a traveling motorcycle racer’s flashbacks, left many mouths wagging. The movie has been touted the worst in Cannes history-mainly because of an unsimulated act performed by actress Chloe Sevigny, towards the end of the movie. At the film’s opening, she defended her performance, dubbing Brown Bunny an art film; yet even she has qualms about having gone so far for the sake of “art.”
Shortbus (2006)
There are many films about the young, lonely, and forlorn in New York City. But there are very few movies that depict romantically diverse situations as bluntly as Shortbus. Director John Cameron Mitchell (of Hedwig and the Angry Inch) uses a motley crew of characters to showcase the intricate emotions involved in modern sexual relationships. But it is the frank [unsimulated] collection of scenes that sets this film apart from most “romantic comedies.” Many might call this film pornographic. But Mitchell’s insistence that sex is a “universal language” provides an introspective facet to the genre.
Irreversible (2002)
Sultry actress Monica Bellucci stars in this avant garde portrayal of revenge. The dodgy filming and graphic portrayals of sex and violence will surely be shocking to some. But in the opinions of many artistic minds, the non-linear storyline and attention to detail greatly override the gratuitous nature of the scenes. Are mainstream moviegoers ready for such a ride? Perhaps not. But where Hollywood dips its toe into controversial waters, French filmmakers tend to make huge splashes.
SOURCES:
www.rottentomatoes.com
www.netflix.com
www.amazon.com
