CIRCUS OF BOOKS

US, 2019, 92 minutes, Colour.

Directed by Rachel Mason.

A documentary which combines the respectable with the exploitative. It received a number of nominations and awards including an Emmy for non-fiction writing.

On the one hand, it goes back to the 1970s, the pornographic film industry, sex magazines, including those produced by Larry Flynt. On the other hand, the film is a portrait of a couple, Jewish background, who became involved in the porn industry, first of all with the distribution of Flynt’s magazines, finding more and more outlets, more magazines, taking over a pornography bookstore in Los Angeles and focusing on gay pornography, even moving into production themselves, especially with the celebrity director, Matt Sterling, and his star, Jeff Stryker. Both Larry Flynt and Jeff Stryker interviewed during the film, remembering and offering hindsight perspectives.

It can be noted that the exploitation material is principally in the showing of covers of magazines and of videos and DVDs in the shop. Generally in passing.

Karen Mason is a very strong figure and offers an interesting take on her life, journalist, interviewing Flynt, religious Jewish background, moving to Los Angeles, meeting Barry Mason, their marrying, the long marriage, his being an inventor, working in the film industry, their productions, the management of the shop, tributes, quite fulsome, from their many employees. They have a completely non-moral perspective on their career within the porn industry.

The film was made by their daughter, Rachel Mason. Their sons also appear, especially Micah who is gay, repressing himself during his teenage years, now talking frankly to camera.

The film provides some detailed background, especially from campaigners from the past, on the secrecy of gay lives in the 1960s, public protests and demonstrations in Los Angeles, the gradual change, moving to protests and parades.

Mainly of interest for social background to sexual mores and attitudes in the United States.