James Franco Teams With Gay Art-Porn Director For a 'Cruising'-Inspired Film

[Seth82]

The James Franco Art House Gay Porno Has Been Shot! | Gay Blog | Gay News

The James Franco Art House Gay Porno Has Been Shot!

We told you earlier this summer about James Franco’s plans to try his hand at producing and starring in an “art house homo sex film.” Today brings word that filming on the project has finished.
Titled James Franco’s Cruising (seriously), the film recreates 4o minutes of lost film from an Al Pacino S&M flick that hit the cutting room floor in 1980 to spare the production from a profit-killing X rating.



“Cruising,” based on the novel by Gerald Walker, stars Al Pacino as a police detective who goes undercover in the gay S&M sex scene to investigate the serial murders of gay men within the subculture. The production, which shot in New York City, was picketed by gay rights groups nervous about the film’s depiction of gay men. (Those protests are documented in Jim Hubbard’s short “Stop the Movie (Cruising)”.)
According to Mathews, Franco wanted to update the film, but he couldn’t get the rights. As Mathews’ gay art porn/drama “I Want Your Love” was getting press attention, Franco’s people emailed Mathews to ask him to talk about the film. Within 24 hours, they were talking.
“He knew he wanted real gay sex in it,” Travis said. “His people went looking for a filmmaker who had filmed real gay sex, and I suspect someone who would complement his vision. We talked about why we would be interested in still looking at this film. We talked about his interest in the film and his interest more broadly in so many gay-themed stories and visionairies. He’s worked with so many in front of and behind the cameras over the years.”
Mathews, who plays himself and directs, and Franco, who also plays himself and produces, decided to document the recreation of the 40 minutes that were lost from the film after an intense battle with the MPAA to change its rating from X to R.

Footage from James Franco’s Cruising will play as part of a gallery showing next month, and the finished film is facing a 2013 release.

Release, indeed.

[MohandasKGanja]

I was in high school when this film was coming out. HIGHLY, HIGHLY controversial. I never saw it or knew what the plot was about completely. But seeing Pacino in leather-daddy gear was kind of interesting. For some reason, I thought it was on NetFlix recently. Maybe not.

A related film that was on NetFlix is "Taxi Zum Klo" (Taxi to the Toilet). German-made film about a schoolteacher who cruises more than George Michael, and the consequences for his relationship and his job. It's very explicit and fairly humorous. The star was a kind named Frank Ripploh. Made around the time of "Cruising", and the only reason I knew about it was because Ebert and Siskel reviewed it at the time on their show "Sneak Previews".

[Sojiita]

I was in high school when this film was coming out. HIGHLY, HIGHLY controversial. I never saw it or knew what the plot was about completely. But seeing Pacino in leather-daddy gear was kind of interesting. For some reason, I thought it was on NetFlix recently. Maybe not.

A related film that was on NetFlix is "Taxi Zum Klo" (Taxi to the Toilet). German-made film about a schoolteacher who cruises more than George Michael, and the consequences for his relationship and his job. It's very explicit and fairly humorous. The star was a kind named Frank Ripploh. Made around the time of "Cruising", and the only reason I knew about it was because Ebert and Siskel reviewed it at the time on their show "Sneak Previews".

I saw 'Cruising' right after it came out(on cable very quickly) and I also saw "Taxi zum Klo" when it played here at the Drexel Theater I think in 81 or 82?
Taxi zum Klo was basically X rated...uh...XXX rated when I saw it. Some moments that were to me then are nothing at all to me now though given my aged and jaded state.

[MohandasKGanja]

I saw 'Cruising' right after it came out(on cable very quickly) and I also saw "Taxi zum Klo" when it played here at the Drexel Theater I think in 81 or 82?
Taxi zum Klo was basically X rated...uh...XXX rated when I saw it. Some moments that were to me then are nothing at all to me now though given my aged and jaded state.

Those scenes were in the NetFlix version by the way. It appears that certain films like "Taxi Zum Klo" and "9 Songs" fly under the radar.

[Seth82]

Interior. Leather Bar. | Movie Trailer | Gay Sex | James Franco | Travis Mathews | Cruising Remake | homorazzi.com

James Franco & Travis Mathews’ ‘Interior. Leather Bar.’ Trailer


Filmmakers James Franco and Travis Mathews re-imagine the lost 40 minutes from Cruising as a starting point to a broader exploration of sexual and creative freedom. As the story goes, in order to avoid an ‘X rating,’ 40 minutes of gay S&M footage was rumored to have been cut and destroyed from the 1980 film. This new movie is inspired by the mythology of the controversial film and is re-imagined as what the “lost footage” from the making of the controversial scenes might have looked like.

As part of the story, actor Val Lauren (Christian Patrick) reluctantly agrees to take the lead in the film. By taking on the role, he is repeatedly forced to negotiate his boundaries during scenes on and “off camera,” as unsimulated gay sex happens around him. The film is all about pushing the boundaries in various different ways. This movie looks so good for so many reasons and what a fascinating story to tell! Watch the trailer below.

[BITTER]

Oh, just come out already, James!

[Trixie]

He's so edgy. *rolleyes*

[mjw]

a true artist

[rollo]

He is acting, he is acting, he is acting.

[witchcurlgirl]

world class wanker.

[Quat]

I think this idea could have been groundbreaking, but I feel its just exploiting a subculture in order to be avant garde. They didn't even give any kind of plot outline.

[InigoMontoya]

I don't get him at all. Or the appeal that some folks find in him. And I don't want to.

[Mr. Authority]

I think this idea could have been groundbreaking, but I feel its just exploiting a subculture in order to be avant garde. They didn't even give any kind of plot outline.

I don't really see it as exploitation, I just think it's garbled and unnecessary. Like most art films.

[Seth82]

I admit I'm intrigued and want to see it.

[BITTER]