SAN FRANCISCO—The producer-director of an indie documentary about the life and work of gay filmmaking pioneer Wakefield Poole plans to host a fundraising reception May 7. Clips from Dirty Poole, which is in progress under the auspices of the San Francisco Film Society, will be screened, according to producer-director Jim Tushinski (That Man: Peter Berlin).
Dirty Poole documents Poole’s early-1970s efforts to “challenge the mind as well as the crotch.” In an era when anyone making, promoting or appearing in gay “pornography” was liable to be prosecuted and jailed, Poole was remarkably open and honest about his sexuality and his art. He also used his real name. Although many considered his work nothing more than dirty movies, Poole attempted to fuse his dance and theater backgrounds into artistic expressions with a uniquely erotic edge.
An outspoken and artistic independent filmmaker during a turbulent age, Poole didn’t consider himself a pornographer. Nevertheless, his creations met notoriety and financial success, ultimately changing the face of gay filmmaking and the gay-rights movement and helping kick-start modern gay porn.
Tushinski said Poole and his producer, Marvin Shulman, plan to attend the fundraiser, through which Tushinski hopes to raise the funds he needs to complete the documentary project. Re-mastered versions of Poole’s Bijou and Wakefield Poole’s Bible will be shown during the evening, followed by special appearances by TitanMen models.
“This is a free event, open to the public,” Tushinski said. “Donations are expected. Bring your checkbook.”
He added that donations to the project may be tax-deductible, thanks to the fiscal sponsorship of the San Francisco Film Society.
Sponsored by TitanMen, the fundraising reception is scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. May 7 in the Rainbow Room on the second floor of the Chuck M. Holmes Campus of The (LGBT) Center at 1800 Market St. in San Francisco.
For more information, visit DirtyPoole.com.
