Wednesday, September 14 One Night Only!
7:00 pm Doors and Drink Reception (70s attire welcome and encouraged!)
8:00 pm Film Screening
9:00 pm Panel Talk-back and Q&A

Joining us for the Rio Theatre’s event will be the filmmaker’s son and daughter, Gerard Jr. and Christar, to introduce the film, provide important and personal context to its complicated legacy, and participate in the talk-back conversation. Other featured panelists scheduled to participate include Vancouver sex work activists and advocates Susan Davis and  Velvet Steele and Dr. Thomas Waugh, Professor Emeritus in the programs in Film Studies, Sexuality & Queer Studies at Concordia University.

The Zeitgeist of 1972, DEEP THROAT brought adult films into the mainstream, contributed to kickstarting the sexual revolution and came to define what was known as “porno chic.” Its success was unprecedented, breaking box office records in its very first week of exhibition. Lauded as one of the first hardcore films to feature a plot, character development, and production values, it pushed the limits of what could be shown on screen – and made an international celebrity of its star,
 Linda Lovelace.

This light, campy, comedy was one of the first full length feature films to include hard-core sex. Upon its release, it became an instant phenomenon, breaking box office records in its first week. Made for a mere $25,000, it was reported to have made over $600,000,000 – ans is still considered to be the most profitable films of all time. Busted by police, picketed, and banned, the ongoing persecution only added to 
the film’s popularity, signifying a major audience shift in the consumption of mainstream media at the time.  Celebrities of the era, including Warren Beatty, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson and eve Jacqueline Onassis, as well dignitaries, couples,
 and women joined the usual “raincoat crowd,” waiting in lines that wrapped around the block just to see it.

A half century later the film still enjoys a cult status, having found its way into every aspect of popular culture. Now, at a time when most porn is now watched on a smartphone alone under the covers, we invite you to join us to watch this lovingly restored DEEP THROAT as it was meant to be experienced – on the big screen, with an audience, and in a darkened theatre!

DEEP THROAT (Gerard Damiano, Sr. / 1972 / 62 mins / Adults Only) Unsatisfied and unfulfilled, a young woman (Linda Lovelace), derives little pleasure from sex. She feels a lot of “little tingles”, but wants “Bells Ringing! Dams Bursting! and Bombs going off!” Her roommate (Dolly Sharp) sends her to an unconventional therapist (Harry Reems), who discovers the root of her problem. Her clitoris is deep down in her throat! The solution: a technique known as“Deep Throat.”Once cured, she devotes herself to helping others to find the sexual satisfaction that she so desired.