Film Series to show porn tonight

Film Series will be showing pornographic movies this week in their last screening of the year. The decision to show porn drew some concern from the student body, but the Student Activities Office has said it is permissible.

Although the content of the Film Series selections could possibly be considered offensive, "no special permission was required" to show the films and "no objections have been filed," according to Assistant Director of Student Activities Ed Cabellon. The films will be funded out of the Film Series' regular budget, which is drawn from the student activities fee.

In an e-mail to group members, members of Film Series said that the porn they show is mostly either "lighthearted or completely over the top" and were therefore completely appropriate for the weekend of Spring Fling.

The films' content will be "ranging from the tasteful and artsy to something for the more serious porn lover," according to the Film Series e-mail. One of the scheduled films is Flesh Gordon, a 1974 spoof of Flash Gordon. The plot revolves around the "evil Emperor Wang" and his "sex rays."

Although the e-mail did not specify titles, it said that Film Series would also show "something a little more ... serious." Preliminary plans called for showing midget porn as the second feature, with bestiality as a backup. No members of Film Series would speak to the Daily on the record.

Students have had mixed reactions to groups' plans to show porn. One student called it "completely disgusting." Another student, who also declined to be identified, was more concerned with the films' particular genre.

"I have no problem with porn, but I think midget porn and bestiality is taking it a little too far."

Other students have expressed interest in attending, however. "It's obvious that they aren't trying to offend anyone," one anonymous freshman said. "I think it's hilarious and I'll definitely be there." Another student agreed, adding, "Everyone likes porn. They're just responding to what people want."

Tonight's event seems to have been in the works for a while. The Film Series' e-mail referred to its "long tradition of showing porn," and the group's website includes a poll in which several students requested that porn be screened.

The screening will be tonight, Monday, April 28 in Barnum 008 at 10:00 PM. The showing is free. One Film Series member said, "We hope a lot of people come. It should be a good time."