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Wakefield Poole's "Boys in the Sand"
posted by jalancoteSTAFFMOD on March 25, 2020 at 9:50 PM
This is in regards to the film Boys in the Sand, url # 154123. I also posted this topic in the category "content issues," received no response. If this discussion is not meant for that category, please let me know and I will remove it.
I watched the film in question the other night and had a profoundly unique and emotional experience. I believe wholeheartedly that this film should be declassified as adult so that it can be reviewed and reflected upon on Letterboxd. The classification of adult is currently locked and cannot currently be changed manually for this film, at least not by me.
This film is one of those rare exceptions that I think needs to be made. This film is certainly pornography, but it is also undoubtedly art. Not many films, and likely only a small handful of films, can be classified as both. But this is definitely one of them. I can say with certainty that I've never had an emotional reaction while watching a film quite like the one I had while watching Boys in the Sand. It is a beautiful and wholly unique piece of art and it deserves to be analyzed and treated as such.
I am new to posting on The Movie DB support boards, so if there are any mistakes I have made in my posting, or if I had made this posting in the wrong section, please let me know and/or correct me. Any help or expertise you can provide related to this problem is appreciated.
Reply by lineker
on March 26, 2020 at 3:44 AM
Hi, so when we have 1000 reports about 1000 unique porn movies that each user finds valuable enough for an exception, our rules for adult content (hardcore porn) would essentially be meaningless. I understand your frustration, but this one is going to stay where it is. Thanks.
Reply by jalancote
on March 26, 2020 at 3:57 PM
Are there truly 1000 reports about 1000 unique porn movies though? This sounds like hyperbole to me.
Your certainty that there is absolutely no fluidity in this discussion is rather frustrating to me. Is this a movie you have seen yourself? Because this is a film that has immense cultural and historical value. In recent days, I have had discussions with two other members on letterboxd who agree with this sentiment. Especially when considering the fact that the vast majority of users are adults, not letting a film with sexual content be at least reviewed and discussed seems a tad patronizing to me.
This is not just porn. It is a unique piece of art. This is one that should not stay where it is. This is a discussion that at the very least needs to be had in the first place before you shut it down completely.
Reply by lineker
on March 26, 2020 at 4:49 PM
I've not seen similar requests for 1000 porn movies, but maybe 20 different movies over the years. And while I haven't seen this movie I've many others that were clearly deserving of being treated as an exception. However, the rules are clear. This is not about the quality of a particular movie, but about whether said movie has two or more hardcore scenes. Those rules have been in place since the beginning and I doubt they are going to be changed any time soon. Sorry.
(And I have seen similar passionate arguments for video games, amateur movies, ads and music videos. But until the rules change we are going to do our best to enforce the current rules.)
Some years ago there was a Letterboxd support topic about importing a select canon of classic porn movies. I think that route is your best option to get this classic movie into Letterboxd.
Reply by jalancote
on April 7, 2020 at 1:41 AM
Thanks for the perspective, and for the advice. I greatly appreciate it, and thank you for responding to my passion with kindness and respect.
Reply by lineker
on August 16, 2021 at 5:33 PM
The Letterboxd Adult project just went live. FAQ is here and Official Megalist with all current titles is here.
Reply by jalancote
on August 16, 2021 at 5:44 PM
Thank you thank you thank you! So glad this is a thing now.