kink

kink, dir. Christina Voros, 2012, USA, 80 min. 
Friday, June 21, midnight @ Castro

Not your average
bondage scene

kink is a documentary about the porn website kink.com, which produces all manner of BDSM porn at the old armory at the corner of 14th and Mission in San Francisco. BDSM is bondage & discipline, dominance & submission, and sadism & masochism, but BDDSSM would be too much of a mouthful, at least without a ball gag. Peter Acworth, the founder and CEO of kink.com, is not at all the stereotype sleazebag one might expect at the reins of a porn factory, and the staff, both behind and in front of the cameras, are also far removed from the world of clichés of the washed-up detritus of humanity desperate to do anything for money or drugs or both. We get to see the conversations that take place before a scene begins, exploring what the “sub” (submissive) is willing to do, and every bit of the action is consensual by all participants. Although there is money involved, many of the performers do it as much for the thrill as for the cash, and many of the staff are ardent and vocal feminists. Many of the scenes were of activities that are not to my personal taste, but the menu is broad enough to suit nearly anyone. Recommended for anyone with an interest in kinky porn, with apologies to the other 1% of the audience....