Meant to post this stuff sooner, but that is the eternal blogger’s refrain, isn’t it?
First, a must-read from Monica at the $pread blog:
Douglas had some pretty amazing things to say, starting with an explanation of the Max Hardcore charges that highlighted the wrongdoing of his distributors, Jaded Video. Basically, Jaded sold a “Euro” version of a Hardcore film to a US Federal Agent and sent the video through US mail, which was what allowed the obscenity charges to be brought against Hardcore. Of course, the real guilty party here is Jaded, not Max Hardcore, just as if a 7-11 sells beer to minors, 7-11 is guilty, not the good makers of Nattie Light. Jaded was granted immunity from prosecution.
As if all of those details weren’t scary enough, the jurors were exempt from watching the entire DVD, and instead the prosecution selected scenes for viewing. This is the most distressing aspect of the case, because it violates the “taken as a whole” stipulation of the Miller test. The jurors didn’t see behind the scenes footage demonstrating affection between performers, female performers smiling and able-bodied after the shoot, how scenes are edited, etc; they just saw excerpts selected for maximum shock value. Max Hardcore will appeal, but while he’s waiting for his follow up trial, by estimate of his lawyer, he’ll spend at least 30 months in federal prison. FEDERAL. PRISON. For, according to the DOJ: “anal penetration, urination, insertion of an entire hand into a vagina or anus, vomiting, and severe violence.” Ok, so severe violence sounds bad (although that’s a vague term which has no meaning without an actual description of what went on) but as far as pissplay, anal sex, and fisting go…? That merits federal prison? It sounds like an average weekend at my house. (I’m kidding. Maybe)
So this brings me to the point of why anyone besides those in the porn business should care about the Max Hardcore conviction. There are obvious reasons: the jaw-droppingly brazen trampling of the legal system, the tax payer money spent on these sort of trials, the possible disruption in supply of porn, if you’re an avid porn consumer. But sex workers of all walks should be especially alarmed, because when any type of sexual material or right is successfully attacked, it’s like another block laid in the wall separating us from the rest of the world. And the sad fact is, I feel like it’s pretty rare to see any sex worker solidarity in these situations.
Ren has an excellent (as usual) post on the matter as well. And at Pro-Porn Activism, Anthony wonders what the effect will be on the rest of the adult industry.
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7 Responses to "A few posts on the Max Hardcore obscenity case"
I’d love to do what Max does to his ”actressses” as long as they liked it. Problem is I’ve met several who were threatened with “an offer they couldn’t refuse” if the didn’t make nice after the shoot and agree that all was cool.
I like watching these movies and I engage myself (I’m a woman) in this kind of activities with my partner and others. What I don’t like is the image of underage girls. Yes, I know they are over 18 but they all seem retarded or sedated or something wrong. I abhor the idea of countless men watching these movies fantasising about abusing adolscent girls. It’s wrong.
Messalina, I’ve approved your comment, but any further comments w/ the use of the word “retarded” in this deragatory context will be deleted.
I’m sorry about it, I didn’t mean it to sound socially deragatory. All I’m saying is that a lot of these girls do look like something is the matter with them either at that particular time when the movies are filmed, or in general, or else they are incredibly good actresses. I’m kind of glad that this guy is being sued, I hope they will put a stop to it. A lot of these movies are the same with only the girls being different.
I believe this man is evil. He should be thrown in jail. It is obvious that the women in his videos are under the influence of alcohol or drugs from the previous posts. I havn’t seen any of his videos and don’t intend to. I really believe that something is wrong with our society if people want to look at this type of filth. I deffinatly believe more obsenity charge should be brought against internet porn of this kind.
In the past I have watched some Max Hardcore material, although I am not interested in the Euro editions (fisting, urination, vomiting) . For me (and probably most viewers) it is fantasy; I have no desire to do any of those acts (most women wouldn’t consent to it anyway!) I am uncomfartable with the idea of the female performers appearing or portraying underage girls - although I have no doubt that the performers are over 18, I don’t beleive that kind of portrayal is healthy for anyone. Also, I would have a problem with performers being physically injured or coerced into acts on the set. Max Hardcore material is pretty extreme - its the stuff that feminist, ultra-conservatives and anti-porn folks would love to use to characterize the whole porn industry. Despite the laws, If you showed Max’ extreme material to most folks, they would consider it obscene.
Matthew O’Brien said:
“It is obvious that the women in his videos are under the influence of alcohol or drugs from the previous posts. I havn’t seen any of his videos and don’t intend to.”
my god. how those with the strongest opinions always fail to even know what the hell they’re fighting against. at least VIEW the material you’re claiming to be filth and evil before you unleash a zealot-like diatribe against it - then your opinion may be worth a little more than nothing.
i do feel that some girls max appears to push a little too far in some scenes, but in other scenes, like those of “summer luv” & “drew allen”, the girls seem to really enjoy being so submissive in their role-playing and have come back multiple times for new scenes - f they really hated working with max so much, i’m sure they wouldn’t have kept coming back for more.
i do think “catalina” may be either extremely mentally challenged, or just on so many drugs she appears that way, and i don’t care for scenes she’s in at all. there is something very wrong with her, unless she is indeed a spectacular actress - whatever the case, her dialog and voice just annoys the hell out of me and kills the scenes completely lol.
truth is, some young women love working with him, and other thought they would until they did work with him. diff’rent strokes i guess. i mean, i don’t think girls like “little summer” or “brandi belle” would enjoy working with him, whereas “sasha grey” or “stoya” may love the opportunity.
just my 2 cents.
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