New 'Larry Flynt for President' Doc Spotlights Wild Political Saga

New 'Larry Flynt for President' Doc Spotlights Wild Political Saga

NEW YORK — The new documentary “Larry Flynt for President” was unveiled earlier this month at the Tribeca Film Festival, and early reviews praise the film for its unflinching, verité-style approach to the rollicking saga of the Hustler publisher’s unlikely challenge to Ronald Reagan for the 1984 presidential nomination.

Variety’s top reviewer Owen Gleiberman described Flynt’s 1983 storming of the American political system as a piece of “media guerrilla performance art.”

“It was a rolling publicity stunt, an anything-goes kamikaze assault on the very idea of government,” wrote Gleiberman. “In Flynt’s words, the campaign would be ‘an act of satire and rebellion against Reagan’s America.’”

Gleiberman points out that there are two jokes to the documentary, one being that at the time the unstoppable Flynt “literally thought he could win.”

But the second is only revealed in hindsight.

"The joke no one could possibly know at the time is that, as seen today, in Nadia Szold’s lively archival documentary ‘Larry Flynt for President,’ the Flynt campaign now looks like a trashy, penny-ante anticipation of the 2016 Donald Trump campaign — or, at least, certain aspects of it. It was a mud-slinging circus, an all-out assault on decorum in politics, though with a serious issue at its heart: Flynt’s absolutist defense of the First Amendment.”

Martin Kudlac’s review of the documentary, in respected international indie-film blog Screen Anarchy, explained that “Szold revisits the real-life story popularized by Milos Forman's 1996 biopic drama ‘The People vs. Larry Flynt’ in her found-footage montage ‘Larry Flynt For President’” by assembling “never-before-seen footage captured in 1983 as a film crew shadowed Flynt in his attempt for the White House office.”

The reviewer quotes Frank Zappa summarizing Flynt as “unique and colorful.”

“Those intersections make Flynt a fascinating protagonist to observe as Szold's oeuvre offers equal doses of insight, suspense, hilariousness and heartbreak,” Screen Anarchy concluded.

“Larry Flynt for President” was produced by Seine Pictures and brought to Tribeca by Film Nation. It will gain wider distribution later this year.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Madison Wilde, Serena Hill Topline Latest 'Bad Lesbian'

Madison Wilde and Serena Hill headline the 21st volume of "Bad Lesbian" from Girlfriends Films.

GoFundMe Launched for Veteran Lighting Director James 'NoNo' Nono

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist longtime adult industry lighting director James “NoNo” Nono and his wife, Stephanie Ross.

Lulu Chu Stars in Latest Installment of 'Under the Bed'

Lulu Chu stars with Sophia Locke and reigning XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Penny Barber in the latest installment of Pure Taboo series “Under the Bed,” titled “The Growth.”

Foxxy, Avery Lust Star in Latest From TGirls.Porn

Foxxy and Avery Lust star in the latest release from Grooby paysite TGirls.Porn, titled “BFFFs: Best Fucking Friends Forever.”

Yhivi Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Yhivi stars with Liz Jordan and multi-XMAs winner Mick Blue in the latest Brazzers scene, “The Help Is Horny.”

Brittany Andrews Stars in New Elegant Angel Release

Brittany Andrews stars with Danae Mari and Van Wylde in a scene from Elegant Angel, titled “Big Tit MILF Attack.”

London River, Millie Morgan Topline Latest 'Lesbian Babysitters' From Sweetheart Video

London River and Millie Morgan headline the 18th volume of "Lesbian Babysitters" from Mile High Media's studio imprint Sweetheart Video.

Girthmasterr Delivers in Latest Brazzers Release

Studio exclusives Girthmasterr and Kayley Gunner star in the latest release from Brazzers, "Postmaster Girth."

Eva Nyx Stars in Latest From New Sensations

Eva Nyx stars with Danny Mountain in the latest release from New Sensations.

Kitana Montana Makes Directorial Debut With New DVD Release

Kitana Montana has made her directorial debut with her new DVD release, “Goddess Cuckold.”

Show More