John Cameron Mitchell rides the "Shortbus" to distribution

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 10:52am

John Cameron Mitchell's sex film "Shortbus" has been picked up by distributors in U.S and other countries.
"Hardcore sex in a maintream movie?"

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 12:33pm

I love JCM, but to be quite honest, putting explicit sex in a "mainstream" film has been done for years in other films. Any independent film-goer worth their salt has seen "Romance", "Anatomy of Hell", " 9 Songs", "Lie With Me", "Intimacy" and other films that used actual sex between the actors to convey the emotional story.

I am really perplexed why he keeps acting though he has reinvented the wheel with this approach to filmaking. IMO, it really isn't all that progressive.

I know JCM is a great writer, so maybe the story will be dramatically different. Since the film has gotten distribution, hopefully I will get the chance to see it.

Actually, I use the term "mainstream" loosely. A film with explicit sexual content will never be mainstream or marketed in a such a way. JCM will not shatter that taboo with his piece.

When I say mainstream, I mean a distributed film, even if it is only playing in arthouses.

Updated On: 9/10/06 at 12:33 PM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 2:22pm

The word on the street is that this sex is a little more than explicit, it is X. JCM has said he wants film-goers to have a "complete movie-going experience" by walking out saying, "It was great! I laughed. I cried. I came."

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 2:26pm

So it's like porn that actually has a plot?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 3:56pm

Yes.

I am very curious--mostly to see what JCM does as his follow up to Hedwig.

[Luscious]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 1:11am

Saw it! Loved it! It's an absolute must-see!

It's all about sex and not at all about sex.

It's honest, intimate, funny, touching and sad. I fell in love with the characters! And there are some unforgetable one-liners!

Don't miss this bus!

Updated On: 10/7/06 at 01:11 AM

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:13pm

Saw it last night, and I really, really liked it.

Sex is part of the story... but it's not what it's all about. The opening sequence is quite intense and you still have that 'naughty' eye towards the movie, but it truly evolves where the explicit sex is no longer 'naughty' but just part of the movie.

Very good film.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:16pm

But did you come?

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:21pm

I found it very sad and depressing--mostly because of the troubles of the gay couple...

I don't think JCM thinks he's Orson Welles but it's very well done and moving--we were turned on, but it takes more than that to blow a gasket.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:23pm

No pun intended, huh, lildogs?

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:27pm

I thought the sex therapist's... erm, couples counselor's story was just a little heartbreaking myself.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:36pm

Having now seen the film, it is the most devastatingly honest film to come out this year. When I see a film as incredible as this which stands no chance of getting an Oscar nod, it makes me begin to resent the Hollywood machine and take less pleasure in the Oscars, something I always loved.

It is so sad that well made and incredibly acted films have no place in the industry. A film Shortbus takes years to get made through hard work and tripe like "Santa Clause 3" gets green-lighted. Anyhow, Shortbus is a wonder and I recommend it to anyone. It is sexual, but oddly, not arousing. It explains the complexities of intimacy, relationships and sex, but it is never exploitative.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:43pm

How hard is it to f*ck on camera? I mean, come on!

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:43pm

Pun intended after it was too late.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:45pm

Actually, even adult film starts talk about how difficult it is to do "the deed" on film and make it look sexy. Until you have attempted it SM2, I would say keep your lips zipped. :) Plus, the scenes in Shortbus are very discrete and not as explicit as adult films.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:50pm

Very quickly, at least for me, the sex scenes go from being 'naughty' to just another plot point. And they're a lot more explicit than I've seen on film before - barring X-porn. It shows more than even what you see on Skinemax.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 12:55pm

I think it would be rough to film fvcking--I mean, I can hear the people pn the sidewalk outside and it throws me off so much I almost miss a beating.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 1:02pm

^^HAHA!