STUDIO CITY, Calif — Author of “The Deep Throat Sex Scandal” play, David Bertolino, penned a screenplay by the same name and is currently crowdfunding on IndieGogo to get the movie rolling. The project has raised $7,188 of its $25,000 goal, with 27 days remaining.
After the play’s successful run in Hollywood, Bertolino said that mainstream industry fans kept asking him the same question, “When is the movie coming out?”
“The feedback and support were so compelling, I wrote the screenplay,” the director said.
The proposed film, like the play, exposes an intricate social, political and emotional narrative underpinning the production and public reception of the original “Deep Throat,” the first scripted porno movie and one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
After its release, the U.S. government, under Nixon’s guise, excoriated the cast and crew and co-star Harry Reems was even arrested by the FBI.
“This is a movie about artists, like you and me, being attacked by their own government for simply doing what they love,” Bertolino said.
The film also examines the porn's mob origins and the relationship between co-star Linda Lovelace and her husband.
According to their crowd funding page, Bertolino and director Quinn Monahan will use the money raised to make a full-scale trailer of the movie, allowing them to garner interest from distribution companies and film festivals.
The site also notes that the film has found an unnamed benefactor who will match the first $25,000 in contributions.
To raise awareness for the film, Ron Jeremy released a YouTube video yesterday advertising his promise to eat at In-N-Out Burger with anyone who donates $69 to the project on IndieGogo. Zero of the 69 available spots have been claimed.
“I’m doing this because I’m making a movie about my favorite f-word , freedom,” he says in the clip.
“Imagine telling your friends that you did the old In-N-Out with me — animal style.”
Donors can receive other film-related “perks” for their contributions on IndieGogo. Those who give $1,000 are deemed a “Deeply Scandalous Co-Producer,” invited to the movie premiere and receive screen credit as co-producer, amongst other benefits.
