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

Isa Bella, Selena Ivy Topline 'Lesbian Sex 28'

Isa Bella and Selena Ivy headline the latest release from Girlfriends Films, titled “Lesbian Sex 28.”

Catherine Knight Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Catherine Knight stars in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "GRWM (To Fuck)."

Elegant Angel Premieres Nicole Kitt Showcase 'Cats Eye'

Nicole Kitt gets the spotlight in a new four-part showcase release from Elegant Angel.

Private Releases 'The Love Hotel 2'

Private has released “The Love Hotel 2,” directed by Dave Menich.

Ember Fiera, Jesse Pony Headline 'TS Girls Do It Best' Sequel From TransSensual

Ember Fiera and Jesse Pony topline the sequel to “TS Girls Do It Best” from Mile High Media studio imprint TransSensual.

Khloe Kapri, Melissa Stratton Topline 'Lesbian Trainer 3' From Sweetheart Video

Khloe Kapri and Melissa Stratton headline the third volume of “Lesbian Trainer” from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweetheart Video.

Gal Ritchie Toplines Dorcel's 'Pigalle'

2025 XMAs winner Gal Ritchie stars with Clara Mia in the latest feature from Dorcel, titled “Pigalle.”

Penthouse Names Sharna Beckman July's 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named Australian model Sharna Beckman as Pet of the Month for July.

Adult Time Names Alison Rey as Newest Brand Ambassador

Adult Time has named Alison Rey as the studio's newest brand ambassador.

Violet Myers Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Reigning XMAs Premium Social Media Creator of the Year Violet Myers stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Anal Exam."

Show More