An outspoken and articulate artist in a turbulent, passionate time, Wakefield Poole didn't think of himself as a pornographer. He was a filmmaker who used his dance and theater background to create beautiful, erotic art films that challenged the mind. Many agreed. To others, though, Poole just made dirty movies.

Dirty Poole tells the story of this sometimes overlooked gay liberation and independent film making pioneer. In an era when anyone making, promoting, or appearing in what the US government considered "pornography" could be liable for prosecution and jail time, Wakefield Poole was a remarkably open and honest gay filmmaker. He also became internationally famous and his movies screened for years as examples of films that could be artistic as well as sexually explicit.

Filled with gorgeous archival footage, excerpts from Poole's lushly photographed films, and entertaining and illuminating interviews with Poole's contemporaries and colleagues, Dirty Poole is a story of artistic integrity and disappointment, self-destruction, love, sex, fortitude, and musical comedy.

 

WORK-IN-PROGRESS SCREENINGS OF DIRTY POOLE

Wakefield PooleWe have four Work-in-Progress screenings planned for 2012 as we wrap up editing and post-production of Dirty Poole. Work-in-Progress screenings are a chance for the director to get feedback from the audience and for the audience to become part of helping create the finished documentary.

First WIP screening is in Toronto, Ontario, on May 27, 2012.

The remaining three WIP screenings will be: 1 in the Eastern US this summer and 2 in Germany in the fall.

Watch this space for more details.

 

 

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Dirty Poole book cover

Wakefield Poole's amazing autobiography has been re-issued by Lethe Press with a new afterward bringing the book up to date and over 20 photos.

Donors who give $75 or more will get a copy as a Thank You gift.

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