Part one of Lars Von Trier’s much ballyhooed NC-17 tour de force, Nymphomaniac (NSFW trailer above), will finally make its NYC debut at Nitehawk Cinema on March 28 (we’re going to assume “LaBeouf in the Buff” will be one of the special Nympho-themed cocktails). Yes, that’s a whole month from now, but there are plenty of ways to stimulate your appreciation for strange, sex-crazed cinema in the meantime.
The annual Cinekink festival brings dozens of risqué films to Anthology Film Archives this week, and then Anthology will present another installment of its racy, throwback In the Flesh series. Then in April, Nitehawk’s own porno appreciation series, Nitehawk Naughties, makes a comeback. And nuzzled in between all that you’ve got James Franco’s graphic Cruising movie and a new documentary about NYC’s burlesque scene. Check out the trailers for all of them below (naturally, some of them are not safe for work — unless you work at one of these local art houses).
The Sarnos: A Life in Dirty Movies
Much like The Manor, this doc follows an unconventional family with roots in the sex industry, exploring the relationship between Joe Sarno, “one of the true auteurs of the sexploitation genre” (he directed one of the country’s first X-rated films in 1968) and his wife Peggy, who appeared in his films. Feb. 27 at Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives.
The Bed and How to Make It
In this early Sarno flick, a young woman working as a chambermaid “sets off a chain of bed-hopping intrigue, blackmail and psycho-sexual revenge.” As the film’s tagline went, “The motel had 70 beds…and she knew them all!” Feb. 26 at Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives.
NSFW
This film, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival, finds Elenore tapping a “happily married office drone” for a “pseudo-sexual relationship wrought with role playing and cloaked in a form of semi-anonymity.” Feb. 27, Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives. With “Un Bisuous Americain.”
At Your Service
Eleven short films revolving around S&M. In “Mistress,” by author Stephen Elliott, a mistress at a dungeon shows a new recruit around the buttplugs and ballgags. Feb. 27, Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives.
Blurred Lines
Despite the name, these eight shorts are bound to make Miley’s VMA performance look G rated. Take, for instance, the work of Zahra Saturdust, which has previously screened at the Perv Film Festival. She’s a “queer vegan feminist porn performer, Penthouse Pet, award-winning stripper, magazine covergirl and pole dance instructor” who has run for Australian parliament with the Australian Sex Party. Feb. 27 at Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives.
Mr. Angel
In this documentary making its NYC debut, everyone from Tyra Banks to Dan Savage hold forth about Buck Angel, a transgender advocate and pioneer who has “survived addiction, homelessness, suicide and relentless opposition to his gender expression, yet he still lives his truth without compromise or apology.” Feb. 28, Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives.
Häppchenweise
This German film depicting “real sex between real people” — and making its US debut — shows what happens when six strangers get together, play some truth-or-dare style games, and eventually get it on. Feb. 28, Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives.
Bring It!
Eight more shorts from Cinekink — these ones of the hardcore variety. For starters, Mermaids & Unicorns promises “every filthy fairytale fantasy you can fathom” — most of them involving lesbians dressed as mermaids and unicorns. March 1 at Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives.
Folsom Forever
From the director of Kink Crusaders, this documentary about the Folsom Street Fair, started to raise awareness about gentrification and money for AIDS charities, captures the San Francisco leather scene of the mid-80s. March 1 at Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives.
Broken Side of Time
This cinema verite film follows a burned-out nude/fetish model as she gets on the other side of the lens. March 1 at Cinekink, Anthology Film Archives.
Interior. Leather Bar.
James Franco’s work of docufiction chronicles his attempt to recreate the explicit gay-sex footage that was excised from the controversial 1980s Pacino movie Cruising. There’s unsimulated sex, to be sure, but the rawest stuff in the film might end up being the actors’ and filmmakers’ real talk about sexuality. March 5 at IFC Center.
Exposed
As if The World Famous *BOB*’s new photo book wasn’t revealing enough, this documentary by Beth B features her as well as other burlesque and cabaret legends like Dirty Martini, Bunny Love, Tigger!, Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz, all of whom are appearing at screenings. March 13-20, IFC Center.
Expose Me, Lovely
Described as “porn noir at its finest,” this 1970s flick directed by Armand Weston, follows a hard-(nosed?) detective through the NYC underworld, where he encounters “red herrings and shady women,” including one played by smut legend Annie Sprinkle. March 27, In the Flesh: Porn Noir at Anthology.
The Double Exposure of Holly
Annie Sprinkle figures into this 1976 cult classic as well, this time playing a hooker with a heart of gold who’s involved in a sexual blackmail plot that revolves around hidden cameras in a hotel room. March 28, In the Flesh: Porn Noir at Anthology.
Sex Wish
“One of the most memorable and visceral X-rated horror films of the 1970s” stars adult legend Harry Reems trying to exact revenge for the rape of his fiancé. March 29, In the Flesh: Porn Noir at Anthology.
Corruption
After its 1983 release, Screw magazine called this “the adult film equivalent of Flashdance, mind-blowing and bizarre.” Jamie Gillis stars as a businessman caught up in intrigue, and Samantha Fox and Vanessa Del Rio also make appearances. March 30, In the Flesh: Porn Noir at Anthology.
Evil Come, Evil Go
In this 1972 gorefest, traveling preacher Sister Sarah Jane teams up with a young starlet to go on a killing spree. April 4 and 5, Nitehawk Naughties.
The Telephone Book
This 1971 underground classic about a woman who goes in search of a dirty prank caller is billed as “one of the greatest cult films you’ve probably never heard of” — unless you’ve read the lengthy appreciation for it over at Dangerous Minds. It originally featured a cameo by Andy Warhol, who lent a couple of his superstars to the film, but believe it or not, Andy got cut. June 6 and 7, Nitehawk Naughties.