The fest, which was to have taken place at well-known independent cinema L’Action Christine in Paris, has been postponed until later in the year by show organizers that cited “institutional pressures” as the cause.
“We have received institutional pressures [not governmental],” film fest spokesperson Maxine Cervulle told XBIZ.
“There were disguised threats towards the owner of the cinema where the International Paris Porn Film Fest should have taken place — a famous independent art house cinema called L'Action Christine,” Cervulle added. “We can't really communicate on the exact source of the threats right now, since we are trying to negotiate and since we are afraid that it could put the cinema at risk.”
According to Cervulle, fest organizers are currently in negotiation to guarantee that the venues that host the event will not experience “retaliatory consequence,” but declined to comment further on the situation.
A group calling itself the European Porn Mafia is organizing the film fest. They have put together an online petition in support of the event. Click here to view the petition.
While the common perception in the U.S. may be that Europeans are more progressive in their view of adult entertainment, Cervulle explained that indulging in adult films comes at a price in France.
“The profit of the adult entertainment industry is taxed at a rate of 67 percent [instead of the usual 33 percent]. The legislation aims to restrict the production, circulation and consumption of pornography via an outrageous taxing,” Cervulle claimed. “It is difficult for the producers to make profits and if you want to buy yourself a good porn on DVD, you will have to pay around 50 Euros.
“But this taxing of adult entertainment is not only restrictive, it also brings an important amount of money to the State [i.e. government],” Cervulle added. “The taxing is more driven by financial reasons, than moral ones. Doing or loving porn costs a lot here.”
Cervulle also indicated that some of the “pressures” placed on the fest might have been resultant of several film selections having to do with more controversial, niche-based content, which apparently is not considered the norm in France.
She pointed out a film called "Baise Moi", as a feminist explicit rape and revenge film by Virginie Despentes and Coralie Trinh-Ti. There was also a special presentation of the films of female-to-male transgender performer Buck Angel planned for the fest.
“I can't really tell you whether France is conservative toward porn,” she said. “Maybe not in general, but when it comes to feminist, queer and transgender porn — it sure is.”
