Customer Reviews

Porn Theatre

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'La Chatte à deux têtes' (PORN THEATER) is a somber study of a sector of life few know, an aspect of human sexuality that didn't make it into the Kinsey Report, a part of the underbelly of city life most would rather not accept existed. Does that mean it should not be examined, should not provide the impetus for an art film? Writer/director and actor Jacques Nolot thinks otherwise. In this dark little film we are invited into the inner sanctum of a dirty old movie house in Paris that shows only straight pornography for a clientele of men of various types: military men, straight men look for gay sex, married men in need of exploration of their senses, transvestites, old men for whom such places provide the only sexual outlet, and the regulars who spend their evenings in the dingy darkened atmosphere for anonymous sex.

The theater is a theater of life for these people, and the 'stage manager' is the sole female Italian ticket cashier (Vittoria Scognamiglio) who has seen every aspect of sexuality, embraced it, and therefore is wholly non-judgmental. She converses with her straight projectionist (Sébastien Viala) who is attracted to her on several levels, and with one of her regulars (Jacques Nolot), a man of fifty who is living with AIDS in a responsible way, but finds his only sexual outlet to be this theater scene. During the course of the film the cashier manages to discuss her open views of sexuality with these two men and the three of them seem headed for a communal experience.

This open view of human behavior is set with the background of the various acts within the theater. We watch transsexuals ply their wares, group encounters in bathrooms, and various odd approaches and rejections for gratification that in the end represent a group of men who find connection to each other as human beings far more difficult (?impossible?) than quick satisfaction in the dark. There is considerable frank acting out of encounters that are usually not seen on film and that may be more than the regular viewer can tolerate. But at least one director has the courage of Genet and Gide and Burroughs et al to tackle this subject matter in a wholly realistic way. The result is a film of social significance, even though it may not be for everyone. It is an art film, very well made, with a brave cast and an even braver writer and director. To not see it is to miss some important messages about human sexuality and about human needs too frequently dismissed as non-existent. In French with English subtitles. Grady Harp, February 06

My brother questioned my taste in movies when he saw this DVD in our apartment, but after viewing it- I am glad that I did! The director takes us out of "common decency" and into a Parisian adult cinema to view the comings and goings of the crowd and their guide- an Italian woman of advanced age selling tickets, the only employee. Beyond the visible sex and nudity (nothing like this in American cinema!), there are many stories of human longing. People who desire the touch and intimacy that only another person can give them, but fear gets in the way. Fear of infection, fear of learning about one's true self, fear of being left alone again....the list goes on and on. No one group is focused on- there are soldiers, transgendered people, gay, straight, bisexual, all walks of life. Because desire is the same across the board- desire to be loved, to be touched, to be aroused, to arouse, and to make that human connection that often seems to escape us. Kudos to the people behind this film- it is truly an intelligent, beautiful and provoking look at human nature.

Unlike the other reviewers, I enjoyed a glimpse into the quiet lives of desperation these characters lead. Depressing and unappealing at times? Yes. But that's life. It's what isn't said that makes this movie work. Thank God Europeans can still make films in which nothing explodes into fiery oblivion or pretty boys preen and rule the roost. I viewed this twice in a row and found the second time even more rewarding. Look between the lines, and you'll find that the search for human connection comes in different shapes and forms.

I watched this a couple of months ago as part of John Waters' film series. While some other reviewers found it to be depressing and boring at times, I found it fascinating throughout.

The various representations of human sexuality certainly give one plenty to ponder. No American movie could ever be this frank and non-judgmental about such topics.

The sexual situations can be rather explicit, but if that is the impetus in viewing, you will be disappointed. Think more along the lines of _Sex, Lies, and Videotape._

If you are thinking Porn Theatre is a more erotic, arousing side of porn movies in the theatre, you are mistaken. What the director writer Jacques Nolot has brought to the screen is an intruding peek into the audience, and very very little of the movie on the screen. What we are privy to is a day/night in the life of a decaying porn theatre in France, seedy characters, namely drag queens, cross dressers, straight and homosexual men, married men, lonely souls, in their peripetic wanderings of the theatre seeking perfunctory satisfaction and aimless affection.

Really, there is nothing erotic or pleasurable to watch, and if you fall in the field of normalcy for porn, this is not for you. Fortunately, it does not get too strange, but strange it is, rather shocking behavior, with some graphic scenes. It is more of a sociological peek into what many people as the unknown.

The film is NOT meant to be entertaining, pleasurable, or amusing, nor adventurous. Although most people have an inkling what a porn theatre is like, most would be very surprised comparing this French theatre to their hometown porn theatre. (Edit) There may still be some porn theatres in cities, but I'm sure they serve the lost souls wandering the streets. Computers seem to have replaced them.

The main character, the ticket taker observes and knows plenty about the returning patrons. She is there to chat with and she and the projectionist and various patrons discuss their feelings, lonliness and curiosity too.

Go ahead, take a peek; it won't bite. Rizzo

This film runs on for much too long and is not for the faint of heart. I'm not referring to some of the sexual acts between the men but the half naked or fully naked transvestites who caused my skin to creep. The goings on at this theatre become repetitive and despite some touches about contemporary French society, it remains a movie that doesn't really have a point. "Weird things can happen in a porno theatre"; I think we already knew that. This was hardly an expose of "Peyton Place" type proportions. The lives of the three people talking outside the theatre was interesting but even those characters really weren't developed enough and basically boiled down to an older man lusting after a young straight guy. If you overlook this film, trust me, you'll lead a long and happy life and not feel you've missed anything.