Preaching to the Perverted (film)

Last updated

Preaching to the Perverted
Pttp signature dvd.jpg
DVD cover
Directed by Stuart Urban
Written byStuart Urban
Produced by Keith Hayley
Starring Guinevere Turner
Tom Bell
Christien Anholt
Cinematography Sam McCurdy
Edited byJulian Rodd
Music by Magnus Fiennes
Maya Fiennes
Production
companies
Cyclops Vision
PTTP Films
Distributed by Entertainment Film Distributors
Release date
  • 4 July 1997 (1997-07-04)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Preaching to the Perverted is a 1997 British sex comedy-drama film written and directed by Stuart Urban. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

The film features Guinevere Turner in her first starring role as Tanya Cheex, a New York dominatrix. [7] Tom Bell plays Henry Harding MP and Christien Anholt plays Peter Emery. In addition, several well-known BDSM performance artists appear, including Chaos Clowns, Luci the Axle Grinder, also known as "Lucifire", Miss Kimberly, The Fetish Nun, Suzi Woodroffe, and Tutu.

The film was originally developed by the BBC, but they later dropped the script, believing it would never be suitable for broadcast on UK TV. [8] However, in April 2004, the film was shown on terrestrial TV in the United Kingdom on BBC One.

The film was banned in the Republic of Ireland by then-film censor Sheamus Smith on 28 October 1997; he also banned the subsequent video release of the film. [9] The trailer caused a mass recall of the rental VHS release of Donnie Brasco (which had been passed as an 18), because the trailer had not been classified. 3,300 copies of that cassette were withdrawn and replaced, with a potential fine of €1000 to stores providing it. [10] [11] A 2003 video release in the United States was cut in order to receive an age rating. [8]

In 2013, the film became the first[ citation needed ] European feature film to be restored and remastered on crowd-funding site Kickstarter by its fans. The remastered Blu-ray became available in August 2013. [12]

Plot

Henry Harding MP, a British government minister on a moral crusade, hires an inexperienced young computer whiz kid Peter Emery, who works for a Christian computer company called Holy Hardware, to infiltrate the UK BDSM scene. Harding is set on putting a club called "House of Thwax" run by Mistress Tanya Cheex out of business, and is sure that Peter's secretly videotaped evidence of the club's activities will do the trick. However, the virginal Peter takes a liking to Tanya Cheex and finds himself falling for the Mistress. Amongst the locations used, Layer Marney Tower in Essex plays a pivotal role for a party scene.

Cast

Reviews

"Turner makes Sharon Stone look like a mother superior, fiendish cameos from Tom Bell, Ricky Tomlinson etc. ... put on your mask and enjoy the party. This ballsy British independent deserves respect". Empire Magazine, Jake Hamilton. [13]

"A mesh of glamour and hilarity ... slick, with an excellent cast ... great dialogue". 'Dillie Tante' The Independent on Sunday. [14]

"Enjoyably offbeat" The Times 27 April 2004 (TV preview).[ citation needed ]

In 2015, The Guardian ranked the film among the top 10 BDSM-related movies. [16] In a 2020 retrospective on depictions of BDSM in cinema, the BFI noted it as featuring a "rare example of a dominatrix presented as a fully fledged character" and that it "makes very explicit the vital importance of consent and boundaries in any sadomasochistic encounter or relationship". [17]

Awards

Soundtrack

The CD contains:

  1. Magnus & Maya  – Welcome to the House of Thwax
  2. Shimmon & Wolfson  – Evil Queen
  3. Magnus & Maya – Journey Into Hell
  4. Rejuvination  – Sycophantasy
  5. Magnus & Maya – Postman Always Thrice
  6. Mark Broom  – The Alien Spoke
  7. Magnus & Maya – In Zerbra Suspension
  8. The Aloof  – Mind
  9. Way Out West  – Ajare
  10. Magnus & Maya – Enlightenment
  11. Magnus & Maya – Goodmorning Mistress
  12. Magnus & Maya – On Wasteland (Requiem Flagellum)
  13. Omni Trio  – Who Are You
  14. Percy X  – Aerobix
  15. Amethyst – Futura
  16. Magnus & Maya – Grindecontrol Transubmission
  17. Magnus & Maya – House of Thwax

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BDSM</span> Erotic practices involving domination and sadomasochism

BDSM is a variety of often erotic practices or roleplaying involving bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other related interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, some of which may be engaged in by people who do not consider themselves to be practising BDSM, inclusion in the BDSM community or subculture often is said to depend on self-identification and shared experience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominatrix</span> Woman who takes the dominant role in BDSM activities

A dominatrix, or domme, is a woman who takes the dominant role in BDSM activities. A dominatrix can be of any sexual orientation, but this does not necessarily limit the genders of her submissive partners. Dominatrices are popularly known for inflicting physical pain on their submissive subjects, but this is not done in every case. In some instances erotic humiliation is used, such as verbal humiliation or the assignment of humiliating tasks. Dominatrices also make use of other forms of servitude. Practices of domination common to many BDSM and other various sexual relationships are also prevalent. A dominatrix is typically a paid professional (pro-domme) as the term dominatrix is little-used within the non-professional BDSM scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bondage (BDSM)</span> Consensual sexual binding or restraining

Bondage, in the BDSM subculture, is the practice of consensually tying, binding, or restraining a partner for erotic, aesthetic, or somatosensory stimulation. A partner may be physically restrained in a variety of ways, including the use of rope, cuffs, bondage tape, or self-adhering bandage.

The role of sadism and masochism in fiction has attracted serious scholarly attention. Anthony Storr has commented that the volume of sadomasochist pornography shows that sadomasochistic interest is widespread in Western society; John Kucich has noted the importance of masochism in late-19th-century British colonial fiction. This article presents appearances of sadomasochism in literature and works of fiction in the various media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of BDSM</span> Erotic practices involving domination and sadomasochism

BDSM is a variety of erotic practices involving dominance and submission, roleplaying, restraint, and other interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, some of which may be engaged in by people who do not consider themselves as practicing BDSM, inclusion in the BDSM community or subculture is usually dependent on self-identification and shared experience. Interest in BDSM can range from one-time experimentation to a lifestyle.

<i>Cool Devices</i> Japanese hentai anime series

Cool Devices is a series of animated hentai pornographic videos. Released as OVA, the series consists of eleven mainly unrelated episodes referred to as operations and is most noted for its very extreme sexual content, most of which center on BDSM and similar fetish themes as well as its high production values.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guinevere Turner</span> American actress and screenwriter

Guinevere Jane Turner is an American actress, screenwriter, and film director. She wrote the films American Psycho and The Notorious Bettie Page and played the lead role of the dominatrix Tanya Cheex in Preaching to the Perverted. She was a story editor and played recurring character Gabby Deveaux on Showtime's The L Word.

<i>The Notorious Bettie Page</i> 2005 film by Mary Harron

The Notorious Bettie Page is a 2005 American biographical drama film directed by Mary Harron. The screenplay by Harron and Guinevere Turner focuses on 1950s pinup and bondage model Bettie Page, portrayed by Gretchen Mol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossary of BDSM</span> Jargon and esoteric terms used in BDSM

This glossary of BDSM terms defines terms commonly used in the BDSM community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominance and submission</span> Erotic roleplay involving the submission of one person to another

Dominance and submission (D/s) is a set of behaviors, customs, and rituals involving the submission of one person to another in an erotic episode or lifestyle. It is a subset of BDSM. This form of sexual contact and pleasure has been shown to please a minority of people.

Stuart Urban is a British film and television director.

Christien Alexis Anholt is an English stage, television and film actor best known for portraying Nigel Bailey in the television series Relic Hunter.

<i>Exit to Eden</i> (film) 1994 film by Garry Marshall

Exit to Eden is a 1994 American comedy thriller film directed by Garry Marshall and adapted to the screen by Deborah Amelon and Bob Brunner from Anne Rice's novel of the same name. The original music score was composed by Patrick Doyle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniform fetishism</span> Sexual fetishism relating to uniforms

Uniform fetishism is a particular type of clothing fetishism in which an individual is sexually aroused by uniforms. It is a form of sexual fetishism. Uniform fetishism has been associated with a variety of different uniforms, including schoolgirl and cheerleader uniforms, French maid uniforms, and uniforms associated with police or military organisations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clothing fetish</span> Sexual fetish relating to particular type of clothing

Clothing fetishism or garment fetishism is a sexual fetish that revolves around a fixation upon a particular article or type of clothing, a particular fashion or uniform, or a person dressed in such a style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breast torture</span> BDSM sexual activity

Breast torture is a BDSM activity in which sexual stimulation is provided through the intentional application of physical pain or constriction to the breasts, areolae or nipples of a submissive. It is a popular activity among the kink community. The recipient of such activities may wish to receive them as a result of masochism or they may have a desire to please a dominant who is sadistic. Those involved may also be motivated by breast fetishism. Mild breast torture such as light impact play on the breasts is also occasionally used outside of the BDSM context to provide stimulation and pleasure during conventional sex. While breast and nipple torture is usually performed on women, most techniques or methods may also be used on men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BDSM in culture and media</span> Stories, books and media about bondage

BDSM is a frequent theme in culture and media, including in books, films, television, music, magazines, public performances and online media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mollena Williams-Haas</span> American author and BDSM educator

Mollena Lee Williams-Haas, formerly Mollena Williams, is an American writer, BDSM educator, actress, and former International Ms. Leather (2010).

<i>Bonding</i> (TV series) American Netflix comedy-drama series

Bonding is an American dark comedy television series that premiered on Netflix on April 24, 2019. The series stars Zoe Levin, Brendan Scannell, Micah Stock, Theo Stockman, and Nana Mensah. On January 16, 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which was released on January 27, 2021.

References

  1. DVD Talk
  2. Sex in Cinema - Greatest and Most Influential Erotic Scenes 1997
  3. Top 10 Highly Kinky Films on Obsessed with Film
  4. Cinesploitation Review
  5. Film Threat Review
  6. A Site Called Fred Review
  7. The New York Times
  8. 1 2 Phillips, Mark (4 April 2013). "'Preaching to the Perverted'". Bent .
  9. "IRISH CENSOR BANS BOTH FILM AND TRAILER". 1999. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019.
  10. "Trailer to video of gangster movie is illegal". The Irish Times .
  11. "Monty outstrips them all". The Irish Times .
  12. Urban, Stuart (6 August 2013). [kickstarter.com/projects/992759722/restore-and-remaster-cult-film-preaching-to-the-pe/posts/561191 "What's next?"]. Kickstarter.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  13. Hamilton, Jake (January 2000). "Preaching To The Perverted Review". Empire . Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  14. Tante, Dillie (12 April 1997). "cries & whispers". The Independent . Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  15. Qwipster.net
  16. Smith, Anna (10 February 2015). "The 10 best BDSM movies". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 24 July 2023.
  17. Bogutskaya, Anna (10 April 2020). "Preaching about the perverted: sadomasochistic romance on screen". British Film Institute. Retrieved 9 September 2023.