Café Flesh
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| Café Flesh | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover. |
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| Directed by | Rinse Dream Mark S. Esposito (uncredited) |
| Produced by | F.X. Pope Stephen Sayadian |
| Written by | Rinse Dream Herbert W. Day |
| Music by | Mitchell Froom |
| Cinematography | F.X. Pope |
| Editing by | Sidney Katz |
| Distributed by | VCA Pictures |
| Running time | 80 min. |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Café Flesh is a 1982 post-apocalyptic cult pornographic science fiction film co-directed by Stephen Sayadian (under the pseudonym "Rinse Dream") and an uncredited Mark S. Esposito and co-written by Sayadian and Jerry Stahl (credited as "Herbert W. Day"). Music was composed and produced by noted music producer Mitchell Froom.
Two sequels, Cafe Flesh 2 and Cafe Flesh 3, were released in 1997 and 2003, without the participation of the original creators. The sequels were written and directed by Antonio Passolini, and did not have the same degree of popularity and cult appeal as the first film.
Two versions of the film were released: a hardcore version, and a softcore version. The softcore version was shown in mainstream cinemas.
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[edit] Plot
Following a nuclear war, 99% of the population becomes violently ill if they even try to have sex. These Sex Negatives remember how wonderful sex was before the Nuclear Kiss and they still crave sex. Their frustration increases when, for their nightly entertainment, they go to clubs to see performances by those Sex Positives that have been rounded up by government enforcers. One of the most famous clubs on the sexual circuit is Café Flesh. It is owned by Moms, a former beautician. Its M.C. is Max Melodramatic, a two-bit Borscht Belt comic before World War III—he viciously mocks the pathetic audience.
The male and female stars perform without emotion, in explicit, theatrical sexual vignettes. The viewers are simultaneously turned on and tortured by what they see. They can't turn away. Two regulars are Nick and his girlfriend, Lana. Nick hates going to the Café Flesh because it makes him want to have sex with Lana. But they are both Sex Negatives and get sick if they try. Max always ridicules Nick for coming to the club when it makes him so miserable. This night, sex-performer agent Silky brings Angel, a new girl from Wyoming, to watch the show. She's thrilled to be at the club she's heard so much about. There is excitement in the club when it's rumored that sex legend Johnny Rico has been signed to appear soon.
After a couple of acts, Nick insists that he and Lana go home and attempt to have sex. He immediately becomes ill. Lana pretends to be sick also. She is not a Sex Negative, after all. She hides that she is a Sex Positive because if this were known she'd be forced to leave Nick and perform on the sex circuit. When she thinks she's alone in the club, Lana masturbates. Max sees her. He knows her secret. A government enforcer discovers that Angel is a Sex Positive. She had kept this a secret because she is a virgin. Angel is forced to perform. She tells Lana she had a wonderful time.
When Moms catches Max harassing Nick, whom she adores, she makes Max get on his knees and recite a humbling poem: He reveals he lost his penis in the war. Max tries to coax Lana into revealing herself, knowing how this will destroy Nick. Johnny Rico comes to the club As Nick notices, Lana becomes aroused just seeing him. Johnny and Angel perform. Lana has trouble controlling herself. Max urges her to join the couple on the stage. Nick tries to hold Lana back, but she's almost in a trance.
As the audience goes wild, Lana climbs onto the stage. While Johnny stands casually to the side, she and Angel perform in a bed. They enjoy themselves. Max laughs at Nick. Johnny pulls Angel off Lana, and now he and Lana perform. Nick is terribly upset. Max laughs at him, until Nick's friend Spike knocks him unconscious.....Spike drags Nick from the club, and Johnny and Lana continue to have sex. (The DVD edit has a significantly different ending. Instead of Spike knocking him unconscious, Spike simply pushes him aside and drags Nick away from the club).
[edit] History
By the early 1970s, the pornographic film industry had gain populace, through the success of films such as Behind the Green Door and Deep Throat. During this period, there were many attempts to create artistic attempts at pornography, including The Devil in Miss Jones. There were also non-pornographic films with hardcore sex, such as I Am Curious (Yellow) and In the Realm of the Senses. By the early 1980s, home video technology shifted the porn industry, and pornography theaters were becoming less successful.[1]
In 1982, Café Flesh, which mixed sex, satire, and avant-garde theater, was released. The film was created and co-written by Stephen Sayadian, under the name "Rinse Dream," and journalist Jerry Stahl, under the name "Herbert W. Day." Sayadin and Stahl made the film in two separate parts, using the non-pornographic elements of the film to attract financiers.[1] The film became a success at midnight showings. An R-rated cut of the film was shown in mainstream theaters.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Peary, Danny (1988). Cult Movies 3. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc., Pages 52-56. ISBN 0-671-64810-1.
[edit] External links
- Café Flesh at the Internet Movie Database
- Review of the film
- "Cafe Flesh" by Molly Case, SexyFandom, November 12, 2004.
