Program Note
In exploring why screen sex became a hot issue in the 1960s, it is necessary to examine various contexts of the time, including political, cultural, and industrial aspects. Among these, the most prominent context is the judicial review of obscenity and pornography, particularly in Europe and North America. In 1969, Denmark legalized pornography, and the Johnson administration in the United States established a Presidential Commission to create a legal basis for addressing obscenity and pornography. John Lamb's Sexual Liberty Now documents the activities of this commission, while also capturing the perspectives of diverse individuals, including religious leaders, college students, and ordinary housewives. The film juxtaposes explicit scenes from stag films, early animated pornography, and hardcores since the early 20th century, with interviews and narration grounded on the freedom of expression. This strategy encourages viewers to objectively observe and judge hardcore pornography. While a rather ambiguous ending emphasizing the importance of morality and maturity towards pornography, the film attempts an intriguing discursive analysis of contemporary desires for screen sex, along with network of censorship. (Jin PARK)