The word porn evokes political sentiments–despite one’s view as to whether it is a liberating form of expression or the exact opposite. After all, sex in and of itself is political.
Los Angeles artist A.L. Steiner and Brooklyn artist A.K. Burns–following the forming of their New York-based activist group Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E.)–sought to make a politically-charged sex film that, as many artists beforehand have done, explores the boundaries of art and pornography.
That film, Community Action Center, will screen for the first time in Long Beach–thanks to Alex Hurt of Flaunt Salon, The Center Long Beach and the Art Theatre–following its selection in last year’s International LGBT Film Festival.
With its 70s-style tinge of inspiration, the film avoids–on almost all levels–concepts of sexual norms as it features an entirely queer, transgender, and women-centric cast that showcases the sexual encounters to be had amongst friends. Largely picaresque, it attempts to “disrupt conventional notions around pornography, politics, and sexuality in order to create a distinct artistic portrait of modern queer culture,” as the filmmakers put it.
The film’s tour stop in Long Beach is underwritten by Hurt, who called Steiner “my spirit lesbian” and also noted that the queer film would be perfect for the Long Beach community.
Community Action Center has taken the art world over as well, being screened at the Museum of Modern Art (who recently acquired the film), the Tate Modern, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Paris Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, and the Gaze Festival.
And rightfully so. Queer culture–largely described as a community that eschews common definitions within gender and sexual identities, including those advertised via popular gay culture–is becoming not only more prevalent, but more visceral in its need to be discussed and displayed.
As Steiner stated in a previous interview, “Queer sex requires creativity, a commitment to your entire body as a sex organ. Don’t assume anything. Sex should be a process of creativity and invention. We believe that queer sex and feminist agency is a shared acknowledgment of reciprocal penetration—physically, psychologically. The universe wants us to play.”
To watch the NSFW trailer, click here.
Community Action Center will screen on June 1 at 9:00PM at The Art Theatre, located 2025 E. 4th Street. In order to ensure accessibility for the entire community, tickets are available on the day of the screening on a sliding scale from $5-10, with no one turned away for lack of ability to pay. Proceeds from all ticket sales will benefit the programs and services of The Center Long Beach. A reception to celebrate the filmmakers will take place next door to the Art Theatre at Art du Vin after the conclusion of the screening.
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