Tickled

Last updated

Tickled
Tickled.png
New Zealand theatrical release poster
Directed by David Farrier
Dylan Reeve
Produced by Carthew Neal
Narrated byDavid Farrier
CinematographyDominic Fryer
Edited bySimon Coldrick
Production
companies
A Ticklish Tale
Fumes Production
Horseshoe Films
Distributed by Magnolia Pictures (US)
Release date
  • 27 May 2016 (2016-05-27)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryNew Zealand
LanguageEnglish
Box office$923,000 [1]

Tickled is a 2016 New Zealand documentary about "competitive endurance tickling" and videos featuring it, and the practices of those producing the videos. It is directed by David Farrier and Dylan Reeve. The film explores possible legal and ethical issues with certain individuals making the videos, and has itself been the subject of legal challenges. A follow-up special, The Tickle King, aired on HBO in February 2017. [2] [3]

Contents

Synopsis

David Farrier, a New Zealand television reporter whose beat focuses on "quirky and odd stories", [4] encounters online videos depicting "competitive endurance tickling", an activity in which young athletic men are restrained and tickled by each other. He begins to research it for a story and requests an interview with the videos' producer, Jane O'Brien Media. The company responds with a volatile email, refusing to "associate with a homosexual journalist", [5] although Farrier is actually bisexual. [6] Farrier, bewildered at the disproportionately hostile response, partners with television producer Dylan Reeve to dig deeper into the mysterious producers. [5]

After their initial blog posts about the story go viral, Farrier and Reeve receive legal threats from Jane O'Brien Media, who send Kevin Clarke and two other representatives to New Zealand to meet with them. Although their interactions are superficially cordial, the Jane O'Brien Media representatives bully the investigators to drop the project. Farrier and Reeve respond by following the representatives to Los Angeles to an apparent video recording location, but are turned away at the door.

Researching the phenomenon further, Farrier and Reeve uncover information about a person known as "Terri DiSisto" (alias "Terri Tickle"), who pioneered recruiting and distributing tickling videos online in the 1990s. They interview independent tickling-video producer Richard Ivey, whose operations are comparatively low-key, and also acknowledge a homoerotic aspect. Former participants in Jane O'Brien Media's videos describe coercive and manipulative treatment by the producers, such as defamation campaigns against them, exposing their personal information, and contacting associates to discredit them as homosexual or as sexual deviants, all in retaliation for speaking out against the company. A local recruiter in Muskegon, Michigan, describes "audition" videos he helped make that were published by O'Brien Media without the participants' consent.

Farrier and Reeve discover documents on a defunct tickling video web site that link Jane O'Brien Media to David D'Amato, the former school administrator behind the "Terri Tickle" alias. From two journalists who had investigated Terri DiSisto years earlier, they learn that D'Amato served a six-month prison sentence for disabling computer systems at two different universities in retaliation against an 18-year-old male student who attempted to terminate an online relationship, which began when the young man was 17. [7] [8] They determine that D'Amato now lives on a substantial inheritance from his father, a successful lawyer. [9] After considerable effort to locate D'Amato, they confront him on the street, and he responds with additional legal threats. Before returning to New Zealand, Farrier contacts D'Amato's stepmother for comment. She implicitly confirms her stepson's "tickling" past, and Farrier informs her that he believes D'Amato is still involved in it. The last thing she says is that she is "afraid" of D'Amato.

Production

Under the working title Tickle King: The Hunt for the Truth in Competitive Tickling, Farrier and Reeve raised NZ$29,570 for the film on Kickstarter in June 2014, intended primarily to cover the costs of the crew traveling to the United States for a week. [4] The project also received funding from the New Zealand Film Commission. [10]

In addition to original music composed by Rodi Kirkcaldy and Florian Zwietnig, the film's soundtrack includes several tracks composed by Shane Carruth for his 2013 film Upstream Color .

Release

The film was screened in January 2016 at the Sundance Film Festival, after which Magnolia Pictures picked up its distribution rights and HBO picked up its U.S. TV rights. [10] In March 2016, it was presented as part of the True/False Film Festival.

On 27 May 2016, the film was released theatrically in New Zealand. It was released by Magnolia Pictures in the U.S. on 17 June, and in Australia and the United Kingdom on 19 August.

Reception

Tickled received critical acclaim. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 120 critics' reviews of the film are positive, with an average rating of 7.6/10; the site's "critics consensus" reads: "Tickled uses an investigation into a silly-seeming subculture as the launching point for thought-provoking insights into online bullying and the destructive abilities of the internet." [11] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 76 out of 100 based on reviews from 28 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [12]

In a review headlined "fetish documentary goes from giggly to grim", Nigel Smith of The Guardian gave the film four stars out of five. [13] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times named it a Critic's Pick, writing that "Farrier and Mr. Reeve see the humor, but they also see the pathos—because it's all fun and giggles until someone gets hurt." [14] [15] Darian Lusk of the New York Observer wrote: "The shocking truth is uncomfortably pursued to its fullest, and the result is a riveting piece of investigative journalism." [16] The Salt Lake Tribune gave the film 4.5 stars and called it "an act of journalistic courage", commenting that the filmmakers "reveal the harm that can be done by an individual with a lot of money and a vindictive streak". [17] Dennis Harvey of Variety stated that the onscreen presence of the filmmakers "is justified because the harassment they experience in pursuing the story becomes a big part of its narrative". [18]

Armond White of Out magazine was critical of the film, commenting that it "zips past its sexual aspects", and concluding that it is ultimately "frustrating, a blue-balls documentary". [19]

Response from the subjects

After the film's premiere screening at Sundance, D'Amato—in March 2016—filed a federal lawsuit against the filmmakers for making false accusations, including the implication that D'Amato used extortion and abused minors, and stated that he had no relationship with O'Brien Media. In response, Farrier told The Salt Lake Tribune that, "given the number of hollow legal threats we faced during the making of it, it's almost refreshing to see a real case being filed by real lawyers." [20]

In April 2016, Kevin Clarke of O'Brien Media created a website to counter the claims made in the film. [21]

D'Amato attended the 18 June 2016 screening of the film at the Nuart Theater in Los Angeles, and confronted Dylan Reeve, saying, "You need to lawyer up. You need to get criminal counsel." Clarke argued with Reeve during a public question-and-answer session after the film, saying, "The film is a piece of garbage full of lies. Release the audio tapes that show you're lying. And if you don't release it, it's the same as admitting you're lying." [22]

Additionally, D'Amato filed a $40 million defamation and slander lawsuit in Nassau County court against his stepmother Dorothy D'Amato, alleging that she made statements in the film with the intention to injure his business, causing mental distress. [23]

On 13 March 2017, at age 55, D'Amato died. [24] The filmmakers posted a statement on their website in which they said they were "incredibly sad" to learn of his passing, and asked that his death be treated with respect. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keanu Reeves</span> Canadian actor and musician (born 1964)

Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor and musician. He is the recipient of numerous accolades in a career on screen spanning four decades. In 2020, The New York Times ranked him as the fourth-greatest actor of the 21st century, and in 2022 Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Reeves is known for his leading roles in action films, his amiable public image, and his philanthropic efforts.

<i>Dark Days</i> (film) 2000 American film

Dark Days is an American documentary film directed, produced, and photographed by the English documentarian Marc Singer that was completed and released in 2000. Shot during the mid-1990s, it follows a group of people who lived in the Freedom Tunnel section of the Amtrak system at the time. DJ Shadow created new music for the documentary and also let Singer use some of his preexisting songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristen Stewart</span> American actress (born 1990)

Kristen Jaymes Stewart is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award and a César Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirby Dick</span> American film director, producer, and screenwriter

Kirby Bryan Dick is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and editor best known for directing documentary films. He received Academy Award nominations for Best Documentary Feature for directing Twist of Faith (2005) and The Invisible War (2012). He has also received numerous awards from film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival and Los Angeles Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Carruth</span> American film producer, actor, screenwriter (born 1972)

Shane Carruth is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, composer, and actor. He is the writer, director, and co-star of the prize-winning science-fiction film Primer (2004), which was his debut feature. His second film, Upstream Color (2013), was an experimental science-fiction film which he wrote, directed, produced, edited, designed, and starred in. He also composed the scores for both films. In recognition of Carruth's idiosyncratic and, at times, bizarre filmmaking technique, director Steven Soderbergh told Entertainment Weekly, "I view Shane as the illegitimate offspring of David Lynch and James Cameron."

Donna Deitch is an American film and television director, producer, screenwriter, and actor best known for her 1985 film Desert Hearts. The movie was the first feature film to "de-sensationalize lesbianism" by presenting a lesbian romance story with positive and respectful themes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sundance Film Festival</span> Annual film festival in the United States

The Sundance Film Festival is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, with 423,234 combined in-person and online viewership in 2023. The festival takes place every January in Park City, Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah; and at Sundance Resort, and acts as a showcase for new work from American and international independent filmmakers. The festival consists of competitive sections for American and international dramatic and documentary films, both feature films and short films, and a group of out-of-competition sections, including NEXT, New Frontier, Spotlight, Midnight, Sundance Kids, From the Collection, Premieres, and Documentary Premieres. Many films premiering at Sundance have gone on to be nominated and win Oscars such as Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Carthew Neal is an Academy nominated film, television and interactive producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dylan O'Brien</span> American actor (born 1991)

Dylan Rhodes O'Brien is an American actor. His first major role was as Stiles Stilinski in the MTV supernatural series Teen Wolf (2011–2017). He achieved further prominence for his lead role in the science fiction Maze Runner trilogy (2014–2018), which led to more film appearances.

Justin Pemberton is a documentary filmmaker based in New Zealand.

<i>The Internets Own Boy</i> 2014 American film

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz is a 2014 American biographical documentary film about Aaron Swartz written, directed, and produced by Brian Knappenberger. The film premiered in the US Documentary Competition program category at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Farrier</span> New Zealand journalist and actor (born 1982)

David Andrew Farrier is a New Zealand journalist and actor. He has worked in news and on documentaries, including features on New Zealand television and co-directing the internationally distributed documentary film Tickled (2016). He created the 2018 Netflix documentary series Dark Tourist, in which he visits popular dark tourism attractions. He has also appeared in the 2014 Rhys Darby mockumentary series Short Poppies.

<i>Going Clear</i> (film) 2015 film by Alex Gibney

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief is a 2015 documentary film about Scientology. Directed by Alex Gibney and produced by HBO, it is based on Lawrence Wright's book Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief (2013). The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. It received widespread praise from critics and was nominated for seven Emmy Awards, winning three, including Best Documentary. It also received a 2015 Peabody Award and won the award for Best Documentary Screenplay from the Writers Guild of America.

<i>We Are X</i> 2016 documentary film about the Japanese rock band X Japan

We Are X is a 2016 documentary film about the Japanese rock band X Japan and its co-founder, drummer, pianist and leader Yoshiki. Directed by Stephen Kijak, it premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on January 23. The film covers the history of the band, their influence on Japanese music and society, the band's break up in 1997 and reunion in 2007, and their attempts to achieve success overseas. It also covers Yoshiki's childhood with the X Japan's vocalist Toshi, the suicide of Yoshiki's father when Yoshiki was ten years old, the deaths of two members of the band, and Yoshiki's various health problems.

<i>Unrest</i> (2017 film) 2017 American documentary film by Jennifer Brea

Unrest is a 2017 documentary film produced and directed by Jennifer Brea. The film tells the story of how Jennifer and her new husband faced an illness that struck Jennifer just before they married. Initially dismissed by doctors, she starts filming herself to document her illness and connects with others who are home- or bedbound with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabaah Folayan</span> American film maker

Sabaah Folayan is an American filmmaker and activist. Her debut documentary feature, Whose Streets?, on the 2014 Ferguson protests, premiered in competition at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

<i>Whose Streets?</i> 2017 American film

Whose Streets? is a 2017 American documentary film about the killing of Michael Brown and the Ferguson uprising. Directed by Sabaah Folayan and co-directed by Damon Davis, Whose Streets? premiered in competition at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, then was released theatrically in August, 2017, for the anniversary of Brown's death. It was a nominee for Critics' Choice and Gotham Independent Film awards.

<i>Share</i> (2019 film) 2019 American film

Share is a 2019 coming-of-age drama film, written and directed by Pippa Bianco, based upon Bianco's short film of the same name. It stars Rhianne Barreto, Charlie Plummer, Poorna Jagannathan, J. C. Mackenzie, Nicholas Galitzine, and Lovie Simone.

<i>Becoming Mike Nichols</i> 2016 TV series or program

Becoming Mike Nichols is a 2016 documentary film directed by Douglas McGrath about the life of Mike Nichols. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 29, 2016, and was later broadcast on HBO on February 22, 2016.

<i>Mister Organ</i> 2022 New Zealand documentary film

Mister Organ is a 2022 New Zealand documentary film by David Farrier, focusing on the life of Mister Organ, an enigmatic figure associated with an antiques store and car clamping business in Ponsonby, Auckland, and Farrier's attempts to learn more about his life.

References

  1. ↑ "Tickled". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  2. ↑ Tickled (27 June 2017), The Tickle King, archived from the original on 12 December 2023, retrieved 19 November 2017
  3. ↑ "Controversy surrounds 'Tickled' documentary". newsday.com. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Project page on kickstarter".
  5. 1 2 "Is 'Tickled' Poised to Be the Next 'Catfish'?". hollywoodreporter.com. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  6. ↑ Perrott, Alan (6 June 2015). "Why David Farrier gave up med school for journalism". New Zealand Herald. ISSN   1170-0777. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  7. ↑ Brian McWilliams (2004). Spam Kings: The Real Story behind the High-Rolling Hucksters Pushing Porn, Pills, and %*@)# Enlargements. O'Reilly. ISBN   978-0-596-00732-4.
  8. ↑ Scoblionkov, Deborah. "Who's Laughing Now?". mycitypaper.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  9. ↑ Earl, William (18 March 2017). "David D'Amato, the Villain of 'Tickled,' 'Died Suddenly' at Age 55". indiewire.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  10. 1 2 Sharf, Zack (31 January 2016). "Magnolia Pictures and HBO Pick Up Sundance Doc 'Tickled'". IndieWire . Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  11. ↑ "Tickled". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  12. ↑ "Tickled". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  13. ↑ Smith, Nigel (8 March 2016). "Tickled review: fetish documentary goes from giggly to grim". The Guardian . Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  14. ↑ Dargis, Manohla (16 June 2016). "Review: 'Tickled' Is Fun and Giggles Until It Isn't Anymore". The New York Times . Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  15. ↑ "'Tickled': Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter . 24 January 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  16. ↑ "Weekend Stream: This Tickling Documentary and Its Even More Bizarre Follow-Up". New York Observer . 24 March 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  17. ↑ "Sundance '16 review: 'Tickled'". The Salt Lake Tribune . 30 January 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  18. ↑ Harvey, Dennis (24 January 2016). "'Tickled' Review: An Engrossing Investigative Doc". Variety . Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  19. ↑ White, Armond (24 June 2016). "Sports Documentary 'Tickled' Exploits Fetishism and Gay Teasing". Out . Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  20. ↑ Manson, Pamela (11 March 2016). "Sundance film on 'competitive endurance tickling' is defamatory, suit alleges". The Salt Lake Tribune . Archived from the original on 25 May 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  21. ↑ Winfrey, Graham (23 May 2016). "'Tickled': Campaign Launched To Try To Discredit Provocative Competitive Tickling Documentary". IndieWire . Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  22. ↑ Fagan, Josh (18 June 2016). "Tickled creator Dylan Reeve confronted by the subject of his documentary at premiere". Stuff.co.nz . Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  23. ↑ O'Sullivan, Michael (30 June 2016). "He made a movie about competitive tickling. But then things got truly weird". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  24. ↑ "Life after the Tickle King's death". The Spinoff. 19 June 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  25. ↑ "Tickled". Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.