The explosive sex cinema industry stemming from Soho in the 1970s brings hoards of images to the mind. Mary Millington, Paul Raymond's naughty theatre shows, the Metropolitan Police Vice Squad raids inspired by Mary Whitehouse and the Nationwide Festival of Light. The era engenders a range of iconic imagery, and it stands in history as a time and place which brought the question of censorship to light at the highest Parliamentary level.
The pop up cinema claims to be the purveyor of 'highbrow' sex films, and hopes to challenge popular 1970s stereotypes about the audiences who go to see films confronting sex and sexuality as a topic. The event is the brainchild of Matthew Holroyd, the founder of Baron and Baroness erotic magazines, and will run for three days only in the 30 seater venue.
Films will include Edith Bergfors' The Last Peep Show in Soho, and the Jackie Collins-inspired Angels from Sarah Baker. The sex shop on-site seems to somewhat undermine the highbrow effect Holroyd is aiming for with his venture, but the intention is to showcase quality films about sex to think about, rather than pornography lust over. The cinema will also serve popcorn and drinks.
The pop up is sure to confront the ongoing question of what is 'pornographic' and what is artistic, a debate which has raged since the 1960s.
| What | Highbrow 'Sex Cinema' pops up in Islington |
| Nearest tube | Haggerston (overground) |
| When |
27 Oct 16 – 30 Oct 16, Showtimes at 1pm and 6pm |
| Price | £10 |
| Website | Click here to find out more about the Ditto gallery |
