From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Café Flesh is a 1982 post-apocalyptic cult pornographic science
fiction film designed and directed by Stephen
Sayadian (under the pseudonym "Rinse Dream") and co-written by
Sayadian and Jerry
Stahl (credited as "Herbert W. Day"). Music was composed and
produced by noted music producer Mitchell Froom (and later appeared in
his album, Key of Cool).[1]
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.
Cafe Flesh was the first adult film to successfully crossover as
a midnight-movie hit. Throughout the eighties it played repertory
theaters across the USA and Europe.
History
By the early 1970s, the pornographic film industry had gained
popularity, through the success of films such as Behind
the Green Door and Deep Throat. During this
period, there were many attempts to create artistic 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.[2]
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",[3]
and journalist Jerry
Stahl, under the name "Herbert W. Day".[4]
Sayadin and Stahl made the film in two separate parts, using the
non-pornographic elements of the film to attract financiers.[2]
The film became a success at midnight showings.
Two actors involved in this film went on to notable work in
mainstream productions. Pia Snow changed her name to Michelle Bauer
and became a prolific B-movie actress.[5][6][7]
Richard
Belzer, a noted comedian at the time who later became known for
his roles in Homicide: Life on the Street and Law
& Order: Special Victims Unit, appears as an audience
member.[8]
Awards
Café Flesh won the 1984 AVN Award for 'Best Art Direction - Film', and has been
inducted into the XRCO Hall of Fame.[9][10] Café
Flesh 2 won the 1998 XRCO
Award for 'Best Video', and the 1999 AVN Awards for 'Best Video
Feature' and 'Best Special Effects'.[9][11]
References
- ^ "Succinct Bits of Melody in
Search of a Film Score", by Jon Pareles, December 17, 2005,
New York Times, 2005-12-17. Retrieved
2007-09-25.
- ^ a
b
Peary, Danny (1988). Cult Movies
3. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc.. pp. 52–56. ISBN
0-671-64810-1.
- ^ "The Next Best Thing To Being
There", by Robert Rossney, Wired 3.05, May 1995. Retrieved
2007-09-25.
- ^ "Alfspotting", by Kim
Morgan, Willamette Week, 1998-09-30.
Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ "Cafe Flesh (1982)" film
review by Alan Jones, BBC Radio Times. Retrieved
2007-09-25.
- ^ Michelle Bauer Internet Movie Database listing,
accessed June 24, 2007
- ^ Michelle Bauer Atomic Cinema
profile, accessed June 24, 2007
- ^
Peary, Cult Movies 3, plus Philadelphia Weekly
repertory film review, accessed June 24, 2007.
- ^ a
b
[1]
- ^
[2]
- ^
[3]
External
links