Vice and Consent
Last night I went to smOdyssey's "south bay premier" of a new BDSM documentary, *Vice and Consent*. The filmmaker, Howard Scott Warshaw was in attendance. After the showing, many of the movie watchers stuck around til pretty darn late to ask questions and hear more stories (two of the film's interviewees came as well). Mr. Warshaw said one of his goals had been to give a gift to the community, and he truly has.
*Vice and Consent* is a number of interviews with well-known-in-leather players, writers, etc., intercut gracefully, exploring the subject of BDSM. Common fears are talked about, and, best of all, common misconceptions are laid open and dispensed with. The truths of passion and intimacy come out in wonderful story-telling by the interviewees, including Evil Mommy Tina, Midori, Michael Blue and Race Bannon among others.
This film is just the thing to show the BDSM curious but nervous. It would be fine educational tool at the university level, and particularly for therapists. I could sit down with curious friends and watch this with them, there to fill in the blanks (such as defining words which are used early on, but not always explained immediately... this film is meant for people who have some very basic understandings of play).
I liked how the film built its themes, and the lovely imagery used to enhance it. There was lots of art (by BDSM players :-) ) as well as some nicely used nature scenes. The music was a plus not a minus, which is really admirable in a small film, IMO.
If you're dabbling in BDSM, if you're a therapist and want to understand your clients better, if you're a sex worker and need a deeper understanding, if you're a player and want to celebrate who we are (you'll laugh), watch this film. And maybe buy a copy to share with your friends.
*Vice and Consent* is a number of interviews with well-known-in-leather players, writers, etc., intercut gracefully, exploring the subject of BDSM. Common fears are talked about, and, best of all, common misconceptions are laid open and dispensed with. The truths of passion and intimacy come out in wonderful story-telling by the interviewees, including Evil Mommy Tina, Midori, Michael Blue and Race Bannon among others.
This film is just the thing to show the BDSM curious but nervous. It would be fine educational tool at the university level, and particularly for therapists. I could sit down with curious friends and watch this with them, there to fill in the blanks (such as defining words which are used early on, but not always explained immediately... this film is meant for people who have some very basic understandings of play).
I liked how the film built its themes, and the lovely imagery used to enhance it. There was lots of art (by BDSM players :-) ) as well as some nicely used nature scenes. The music was a plus not a minus, which is really admirable in a small film, IMO.
If you're dabbling in BDSM, if you're a therapist and want to understand your clients better, if you're a sex worker and need a deeper understanding, if you're a player and want to celebrate who we are (you'll laugh), watch this film. And maybe buy a copy to share with your friends.