Flemish filmmaker Erik Lamens' SM-rechter / SM Judge (above) was chosen the best narrative feature at the 2009 Fetish Film Festival, held in the northern German city of Kiel from Oct. 29-31.
Inspired by a true story, Lamens' SM Judge tells the story of Belgian judge Koen Aurousseau, who, as per Flanders Today, "was accused of physical assault and incitement to prostitution" in 1997. Following his conviction, Aurousseau found himself mired in a deep emotional and financial hole; his only source of support was his wife, Magda, the person who'd initially asked him to get involved in S&M sex practices.
“I heard on TV the other day that this is 'the most controversial film of the year,' Lamens is quoted as saying in Flanders Today, "but I didn’t make it to be controversial. I just wanted to show people what they don’t already know — why a woman asks this after 15 years of marriage, and why he says yes.”
Gene Bervoets and Veerle Dobbelaere took the festival's top acting honors for their portrayal of the judge and his wife.
The best documentary feature, Hilton Ariel Ruiz's Rogues, Rebels and Renegades: The Art of an Outlaw deals with the never-ending debate about the separation of Art and Porn — that is, if there must be such a split.
Ruiz's documentary features several rogues, rebels, and renegades, including Katalin Vad (aka Michelle Wild), Guy Gonzales, Tony Knighthawk, Steven Speliotis, and Vivian Bondage, performers and artists whose oeuvre would give seizures to the ardently religious, ideologues of the Left and Right, and the politically correct crowd.
In fact, in the more extreme cases it's hard to believe that there's anyone, no matter their socio-political-cultural persuasion, who'll not be offended — or at least not be taken aback — by something in their work.
The Fetish Film Festival winners listed below were selected by audience members.
Best Film
SM JUDGEBest Documentary
ROGUES, REBELS AND RENEGADESBest Actor
Gene Bervoets in SM JUDGEBest Actress
Veerle Dobbelaere in SM JUDGEBest Short Film
KICK THE COCKBest Short Documentary
HERAS HARTE SCHULE: ROLLENSPIELEBest Music Video
PUSSY by RammsteinBest Concert Performance
Britney Spears I'M A SLAVE FOR YOUBest Film Producers' Website
MEN IN PAIN
That looks good. I hope it'll reach Idaho.