"With 'Pirates' and 'Pirates II' we set out to produce adult films unlike anything previously made," Joone, Digital Playground cofounder and writer and director of both "Pirates" productions, told XBIZ. "The action, story and sex is something that has really connected with college students across the country. We're happy to share the movie with a new audience."
On Thursday, the showing of "Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge" by the University of California, Davis' Entertainment Council will feature a speaker on pornography. Later this week, the University of Maryland's screening at the Hoff Theater includes an introduction by Planned Parenthood.
"The popularity of 'Pirates' with the college-age demographic led us to believe screening 'Pirates II' would bring in a good draw from the University of Maryland community and would be a fun event from them to attend," said Lisa Cunningham, Program Coordinator for the University of Maryland's Hoff Theater. "We anticipate that 'Pirates II' will be a successful event and plan on including more films of this type for the Hoff Theater programming in the future."
The plot-driven "Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge" has been the subject of reviews and feature stories in college newspapers and magazines, helping continue the ongoing debate regarding whether adult entertainment has a place in academic studies.
Bruce Reitman, dean of student affairs at Tufts University, was quoted in the Tufts Daily saying, "We're not in a position to be moralists and censor what some consider bad taste. The issue arises when it affects other people. On campus, there is [a] complex diversity of values, beliefs and backgrounds, and no one can agree on everything. That's not to be feared; in fact, the civil dialogue is to be encouraged."
Producers Joone and Samantha Lewis made "Pirates" and "Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge" with the stated intention of breaking down the popular notions of what adult movies are capable of. The company recut both productions to versions that received the R rating from the MPAA.
"Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge" stars Digital Playground contract performers Jesse Jane, Katsuni, Stoya, Riley Steele and Gabriella Fox. It costars Belladonna, Sasha Grey, Jenna Haze, Brianna Love, Shay Jordan, Abbey Brooks, Shawna Lenee, Rhylee Richards, Brea Lynn, Shyla Stylez and Veronica Rayne. Evan Stone, Tommy Gunn and Steven St. Croix reprise their roles from the original "Pirates," and are joined by Manuel Ferrara, James Deen, Marco Banderas, Mick Blue, Ben English and Charles Dera.
College events councils that would like to arrange a screening of "Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge" for their campus should email chris@digitalplayground.com.
