| Shortbus | |
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Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | John Cameron Mitchell |
| Produced by | Howard Gertler, Tim Perell, John Cameron Mitchell |
| Written by | John Cameron Mitchell |
| Starring | Sook-Yin Lee Paul Dawson PJ DeBoy Peter Stickles Jay Brannan |
| Running time | 101 min. John Cameron Mitchell (born April 21, 1963) is a Golden Globe -nominated American Writer, Actor, and director John Cameron Mitchell (born April 21, 1963) is a Golden Globe -nominated American Writer, Actor, and director John Cameron Mitchell (born April 21, 1963) is a Golden Globe -nominated American Writer, Actor, and director Sook-Yin Lee is a Canadian Musician, Filmmaker, Actress and Media personality. PJ DeBoy (born Paul DeBoy is an American Actor born in Baltimore Maryland. Peter Stickles (born October 8, 1976) is an American actor from New York. Jay Brannan (March 29 1982 is an American singer/songwriter and actor |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2 million |
| Gross revenue | $5,093,860 |
| Official website | |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Shortbus is a 2006 comedy-drama film written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, writer/director/star of the play and film Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The year 2006 in film involved some significant events Releases of sequels took place with Superman Returns, Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest Comedy film is a genre of Film in which the main emphasis is on humor. A drama film is a Film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes John Cameron Mitchell (born April 21, 1963) is a Golden Globe -nominated American Writer, Actor, and director Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a Rock musical about a fictional Rock and roll band fronted by an East German Transgender singer
The plot revolves around a sexually diverse ensemble of emotionally challenged people trying desperately to connect in post-9/11, bohemian New York City. The City of New York The characters converge on a weekly Brooklyn artistic/sexual salon loosely inspired by various underground NYC gatherings that took place in the early 2000s. Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. According to Mitchell, the film attempts to "employ sex in new cinematic ways", and it includes a variety of explicit scenes of sexuality.
It was released in North America in October 2006 by THINKFilm after premiering in May at the Cannes Film Festival, and it played in over 25 countries, winning multiple awards at the Athens, Zurich, and Gijon Film Festivals. October 2006 was a month that began on a Sunday The month was marked by a nuclear test by North Korea that prompted that passing of Resolution 1718 THINKFilm is a privately held production and distribution company founded in September 2001 that is now a division of David Bergstein’s Capitol Films. The Cannes Film Festival (le Festival de Cannes founded in 1946 is one of the world's oldest most influential and prestigious Film festivals alongside Venice, Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's Zürich (, Zürich German: Züri, Zurich, Zurigo; in English generally Zurich) is the largest city in Switzerland and capital of the Gijón ( Asturian: Xixón) is a coastal industrial city A film festival is the presentation or showcasing of Films in one or more Movie theaters or screening venues Howard Gertler and Tim Perell received an Independent Spirit Award as Producers of the Year. Founded in 1984, the Independent Spirit Awards were originally known as the FINDIE Awards ("Friends of Independents" and presented winners with The film was released to DVD in North America on March 13, 2007. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The DVD features a comprehensive documentary, "Gifted and Challenged: the Making of Shortbus" (Director/Producer M. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is Sean Kaminsky), the vérité-style "How to Shoot Sex: A Docu-Primer", a number of deleted scenes (including a dropped subplot about a character who is the Bush twins' personal assistant), as well as a filmmaker/cast audio commentary. Cinéma Vérité is the first Album by an Alternative rock group Dramarama, released in November 1985 Deleted scene is a commonly-used term in the entertainment industry especially the film and television industry which usually refers specifically to scenes removed from or replaced by Originating in Orange New Jersey, the Bush family in the 20th century became an accomplished Political family in the United States, including across
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The movie is set in contemporary New York City and revolves around Sofia (played by Canadian singer and radio/TV personality Sook-Yin Lee), a married woman and couples counselor/sex therapist who has herself never achieved an orgasm. Jay Brannan (March 29 1982 is an American singer/songwriter and actor Sook-Yin Lee is a Canadian Musician, Filmmaker, Actress and Media personality. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Sook-Yin Lee is a Canadian Musician, Filmmaker, Actress and Media personality. Relationship counseling is the process of Counseling the parties of a relationship in an effort to recognize and to better manage or reconcile troublesome differences Sex therapy is the treatment of Sexual dysfunction, such as non- consummation, Premature ejaculation or Erectile dysfunction, low Libido An orgasm (sexual climax is the conclusion of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, and may be experienced by both males and females She comes into contact with a couple: former child star Jamie (PJ DeBoy) and James (Paul Dawson). PJ DeBoy (born Paul DeBoy is an American Actor born in Baltimore Maryland. The soft-spoken James, a former prostitute, is the film's other main character. Prostitution is the act of performing Sexual activity in exchange for Money. At the outset, James suggests to his boyfriend that they open up their relationship to sex with others. Nonmonogamy is a Blanket term covering several different types of Interpersonal relationship in which some or all participants have multiple marital,
During their first consultation, Sofia snaps, slaps Jamie and apologetically reveals her "pre-orgasmic" status. The couple suggests she attend a weekly social/artistic/sexual salon in Brooklyn called "Shortbus", which is hosted by drag performance artist Justin Bond (playing himself). A drag queen is a person usually a man who dresses (or "drags" in female clothes and make-up for special occasions and usually because they are performing and entertaining This article is about Performance art For other uses see Performance (disambiguation Justin Bond is a celebrated Queer iconic performer out of New York City. Bond is well-known in the alternative cabaret world as Kiki of Kiki & Herb. Kiki and Herb ( Justin Bond and Kenny Mellman are an American drag Cabaret duo Sofia slowly opens up to new experiences; this includes a friendship with a dominatrix who goes by the name Severin (Lindsay Beamish), which was the name of the masochist protagonist of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's classic novel Venus in Furs. A dominatrix (from the Latin dominatrix, meaning a female ruler or Mistress plural dominatrices or dominatrixes) or Mistress is a woman who Sadism refers to Sexual or non-sexual gratification in the infliction of Pain or humiliation upon or by another person Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch ( 27 January, 1836 – 9 March, 1895) was an Austrian writer and journalist who gained renown WikipediaHow to fix bunched-up edit links --> Venus in Furs (Venus im Pelz is a Novella by Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch Sofia's inability to achieve orgasm begins to cause conflict with her husband Rob (Raphael Barker). Rob begins attending Shortbus with Sofia.
James and Jamie meet a young ex-model and aspiring singer named Ceth (pronounced "Seth", and portrayed by singer-songwriter Jay Brannan) and the three begin a sexual relationship. Jay Brannan (March 29 1982 is an American singer/songwriter and actor Meanwhile James and Jamie's life is being closely watched by their across-the-street neighbor Caleb (Peter Stickles). Peter Stickles (born October 8, 1976) is an American actor from New York. Caleb fears the inclusion of Ceth in James and Jamie's relationship might break them up and thus destroy his ability to live vicariously through them, so he attends Shortbus, where he confronts Ceth.
Sofia begins to go daily to a spa with a sensory deprivation tank to meet with Severin, and the two begin to have intense conversations. PJ DeBoy (born Paul DeBoy is an American Actor born in Baltimore Maryland. Sensory deprivation is the deliberate reduction or removal of stimuli from one or more of the senses Severin begins to help Sofia loosen up sexually; Sofia helps Severin achieve a deeper human connection than she had experienced before. One evening at Shortbus, Severin discusses with Sofia the idea of giving up sex work to pursue her dream of being an artist. The two then have an unplanned sexual experience, and once again Sofia is left unsatisfied.
Throughout the film we see James making a film about himself and his relationship. It turns out to be a suicide note. A suicide note is a message left by someone who later attempts or commits Suicide. He attempts to take his own life and is rescued by his stalker Caleb, who calls for help but is too embarrassed to wait with James for the help to arrive. He writes his phone number and email address on James' face while he is unconscious. When James wakes in the hospital, he calls Caleb. James goes to Caleb's home to be consoled, but does not contact Jamie or Ceth, neither of whom can understand why he wouldn't call them or come home.
There follows an interlocking trio of scenes showing connections between the characters' emotional problems and their sexual lives.
1) At Caleb's house, he and James have sex, and James allows Caleb to penetrate him, something he has never allowed anyone to do before. Afterward, in a dramatic revelation, James is seen in the window of Caleb's apartment by Jamie, who realizes in that moment that James is alive and okay.
2) Rob and Severin have a paid encounter where Rob asks to be beaten, something he couldn't ask Sofia to do. As this progresses, Severin loses control and Rob tries to comfort her.
3) Sofia seems to have a dream of struggling through an overgrown, wild forested area to a gentle seashore where she tries to achieve orgasm again. On failing, she screams, and in the real world the lights go off across the city, seemingly caused by the simultaneous and collective frustration of the characters.
The film ends with a song by Justin Bond at Shortbus during the blackout. Sofia arrives and finds Rob with Severin and after acknowledging him sits down by herself. James and Jamie also arrive followed by Ceth and Caleb.
Justin's song starts on a wistful note, but as it progresses it becomes more energetic and positive thanks to the arrival of the Hungry March Band. The Hungry March Band is a Street band with approximately 25 active musicians and performers This is mirrored in the actions and emotions of the actors. Jamie and James make out on the floor, and Ceth and Caleb start to hit it off. Rob seems to find a friend, and Severin progresses from nervous anxiety to happy elation upon the arrival of the band.
While having a threesome with a couple whom she has seen several times before (Nick and Leah, played by Jan Hilmer and Shanti Carson), Sofia finally achieves an orgasm, and the blackout affecting New York ends, as does the film. Shanti Carson is an American Actress and Fire eater, living in New York The Northeast Blackout of 2003 was a massive widespread Power outage that occurred throughout parts of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States
Some have branded the film "pornographic". Sook-Yin Lee is a Canadian Musician, Filmmaker, Actress and Media personality. PJ DeBoy (born Paul DeBoy is an American Actor born in Baltimore Maryland. Jay Brannan (March 29 1982 is an American singer/songwriter and actor Peter Stickles (born October 8, 1976) is an American actor from New York. Justin Bond is a celebrated Queer iconic performer out of New York City. Bitch and Animal, a duo consisting of musicians Bitch and Animal Prufrock, were a Queercore band that performed from 1995 to 2004 Daniela Sea (born 1977 is an American Musician, Performance artist former Circus Juggler, and Actress. Shanti Carson is an American Actress and Fire eater, living in New York Miriam Shor (born July 25, 1971) is an American film and television actress The Hungry March Band is a Street band with approximately 25 active musicians and performers John Cameron Mitchell (born April 21, 1963) is a Golden Globe -nominated American Writer, Actor, and director Mary Beth Peil (born June 25, 1940) is an American Opera singer and Actress. A cameo role or cameo appearance (often shortened to just cameo) is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the Performing arts, such as Tristan Taormino (born May 9, 1971) is an award-winning Author, Columnist, editor Pornographic film director (and occasional actress A cameo role or cameo appearance (often shortened to just cameo) is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the Performing arts, such as A cameo role or cameo appearance (often shortened to just cameo) is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the Performing arts, such as Pornography or porn is the explicit depiction of Sexual subject matter with the sole intention of sexually exciting the viewer In response, Mitchell says that the dictionary defines porn as "material created and viewed for the primary purpose of sexual arousal," and argues that the sex in Shortbus is often purposefully "de-eroticized" to "remove the cloud of arousal to reveal emotions and ideas that might have been obscured by it".
| “ | Sex, like music, is a universal language. We want to use it to introduce character, evoke emotion, propel the plot. Sex is also the funniest thing I know. How the hell do we find ourselves in those positions? - Mitchell | ” |
Lee was nearly fired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, for which she hosts a radio program Definitely Not the Opera because of her participation in several unsimulated sexual scenes in the film. Definitely Not the Opera ( DNTO) is a magazine-style Radio program focusing on aspects of Pop culture. Ultimately, she retained her job as the CBC relented in the face of support for Lee from the public,[1] as well as from celebrities such as Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Stipe, and Yoko Ono. Francis Ford "Frank" Coppola (born April 7, 1939) is a five-time Academy Award -winning American Film director, John Michael Stipe (born January 4 1960 in Decatur Georgia) is an American singer who is the lead vocalist for the Alternative rock band R born in Tokyo on February 18 1933 is a Japanese Artist and Musician. [2]
The film's characters and story were created collaboratively over 2 1/2 years through improvisation workshops with the cast. Improvisation (also called extemporization) is the practice of acting singing talking and reacting of making and creating in the moment and in response to the stimulus of The audition website elicited half a million hits and 500 audition tape submissions. 40 people were called in for improv auditions and nine actors were cast, all before there was any story in mind. Mitchell wrote the screenplay from the raw material generated by the workshops and rehearsals.
Much of the sex in this movie is unsimulated. Mitchell says:
| “ | In the old days, when you couldn't show sex on film, directors like Hitchcock had metaphors for sex (trains going into tunnels, etc). Metaphor (from the Greek: μεταφορά - metaphora, meaning "transfer" is language that directly compares seemingly unrelated subjects When you can show more realistic sex, the sex itself can be a metaphor for other parts of the character's lives. The way people express themselves sexually can tell you a lot about who they are. Some people ask me, 'Couldn't you have told the same story without the explicitness?'. They don't ask whether I could've done Hedwig without the songs. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a 2001 film musical based on the stage musical of the same name about a fictional Rock and roll Why not be allowed to use every paint in the paintbox? | ” |
As indicated in the DVD special features, Lee and Shanti Carson each suggested they be filmed having real orgasms rather than fake them, specifically for the final scene involving Lee and the orgy sequence involving Carson. Mitchell also participated in the latter scene, performing oral sex on a woman for the first time "as a gesture of solidarity". Oral sex refers to sexual activities involving the use of the Mouth, and may include use of the Tongue, Teeth, and Throat, in order [3]
The panoramic cityscape interspersed through the film was completely computer-generated and designed by John Bair. Computer animation Computer-generated imagery (also known as CGI) is the application of the field of Computer graphics or more specifically 3D computer graphics
The characters all converge on a weekly underground gathering or salon called Shortbus, inspired by the short yellow schoolbuses for "challenged and gifted" students. The Shortbus salon was loosely based on a series of New York social/artistic/sexual gatherings. One was the monthly "Shortbus Sweaty Teenage Dance Party" organized by Mitchell (circa 2002) as "DJ Dear Tic", his Radical Faerie nickname (Mitchell was influenced by annual Radical Faerie countercultural gatherings in Tennessee and New Orleans). Radical faeries (also faeries and faes) are a loosely affiliated worldwide network of mostly Gay men seeking to "reject hetero - Imitation Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Others influences include the Lusty Loft Parties that took place at a Brooklyn art collective called DUMBA (where the film's salon was actually shot), and the weekly CineSalon film gathering, both of which were organized, in part, by Stephen Kent Jusick who plays Creamy in the film. DUMBA was a Collective living space and Anarchist, Queer, all-ages community center and venue in Brooklyn New York. The still-running underground Rubulad party was also an inspiration.
The character of Tobias - the elderly man who claims to be an ex-Mayor of New York City - played by Alan Mandell, alludes to Mayor Ed Koch, who has long been the subject of rumors about his sexual orientation. The Mayor of New York City is the head of the executive branch of the Government of New York City. Edward Irving Koch (born December 12, 1924;) was a United States Congressman from 1969 to 1977 and the Mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989 Sexual orientation is believed to refer to "an enduring pattern of emotional romantic and/or sexual attractions to men women or both sexes
There is a plot device involving a vibrating egg with the brand name In the Realm of the Senses. A plot device is an element introduced into a story solely to advance or resolve the plot of the story is a 1976 Franco - Japanese Film directed by Nagisa Oshima. It is a fictional and sexually explicit treatment of a true story which occurred in This is a wink to the explicit 1976 Nagisa Oshima film of the same name in which a man urges his lover to insert a hard-boiled egg in her vagina and "lay it". The vagina (from Latin, literally " Sheath " or " Scabbard " is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the Uterus
Justin Bond's line: "As my dear, departed friend Lotus Weinstock used to say, 'I used to want to change the world. Now I just want to leave the room with a little dignity'" refers to a stand-up line from real-life comedian Lotus Weinstock, a Los Angeles-based performer who was Lenny Bruce's last girlfriend. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Lenny Bruce (October 13 1925 &ndash August 3 1966 born Leonard Alfred Schneider, was an American Stand-up comedian, Writer, social Mitchell was friendly with Weinstock and her daughter, singer-songwriter Lili Haydn, before Weinstock died in 1997. Lili Haydn is a professional musician composer and actress As a child she pursued a career as an actress at age eight she discovered the Violin and began to focus on classical
Several members of the cast previously worked with Mitchell in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, including:
Well-known downtown New York performers who provide cameos in the film include:
The soundtrack was released on Conor Oberst's record label, Team Love. Conor Mullen Oberst (born February 15, 1980) is an American Songwriter, Singer, Poet, best known for his work in Team Love is a New York City -based Independent record label founded by Conor Oberst and Nate Mitchell directed the music video for Bright Eyes' "First Day of My Life" (which featured Shortbus cast members Bitch, Daniela Sea, and Ray Rivas). Daniela Sea (born 1977 is an American Musician, Performance artist former Circus Juggler, and Actress. The soundtrack was released in Europe on V2 with the Anita O'Day song replaced by "What Matters To Me" by Tiebreaker (John LaMonica). V2 redirects here For the rocket see V-2 rocket. For other meanings see V2 (disambiguation. Anita O'Day ( October 18, 1919 &ndash November 23, 2006) was an American Jazz singer In Europe, the film found its largest audiences in France and Italy. (The Italian poster featured a hidden bomb in an artist's rendition of the Sex-Not-Bombs Room. )