A Philadelphia-based film company recently released a pornographic remake of "The Exorcist," stirring debate over whether the film is constitutionally protected.
Doug Sakmann, the proprietor of "I Am An Evil Carrot" Production Company, released his latest installment of horror porn with religious overtones, "The XXXorcist," on Oct. 31.
"It's about a priest who has to screw the hell out of a possessed girl to save her soul," he said.
Sakmann said he expects a big reaction from viewers after the film has been circulated.
When Sakmann spoofed the film, "Re-Animator," renamed "Re-Penetrator" for Halloween 2004, he said it was banned shortly after but drew enough interest to allow him to follow his Halloween horror-porn video with a new interpretation of "The Exorcist."
"I had to deal with this whole banning thing last year because in the Re-Penetrator there was a mixture of blood, mutilation and sex," he said. "There are many horror movies with blood but once you mix the two together, it gets banned."
Sakmann said some distributors enjoy the divisive pornographies but refuse to sign unless another distributing company pledges involvement first.
"It's a vicious cycle," he said. "Basically, it's like nobody will touch it until somebody else does."
He said the ban would be a violation of certain freedoms and he believes in the importance of allowing American citizens to individually decide what is offensive.
Joanna Angel, an adult film star and director of BurningAngel.com, her own pornography production company, said there are new laws every year that ban certain films from the country.
She said she considers the possibility of jail before beginning production.
"It makes our jobs impossible because just when you are getting used to one law then they tell you there is a new one," she said.
Angel said she should be able to make any film she wants but abides by the laws set by the government.
"I obviously do not want to go to jail, so I'll be careful not to break any laws," she said. "I definitely won't be putting a 12-year-old in a movie of mine.
"This country is run by a twisted set of morals. There are things that are way more wrong and disturbing."
She said the government falsely blames pornography for problems that run much deeper in American society.
"It's insane that people are stupid enough to believe it," Angel said. "It's just a simple scapegoat and people should be allowed to do whatever the hell they want in our country."
Sakmann said he has always enjoyed horror films and a career in film production allowed him to combine his interests.
Sakmann said he was raised Catholic, served as an altar boy and still attends church on certain holidays with his family.
"We aren't saying that it is what the Lord does for sure," he said. "It is just our interpretation of it and we are entitled to our own opinion."
Sakmann said controversy and politics are hurdles he must conquer in the process of production.
Angel said each individual should determine for him or herself the difference between right and wrong.
"And you need to look at the situation at an objective standpoint and not let emotion get so much in the way," she said, "but you need to remove yourself from your own concerns to really gain perspective."
Angel said freedom of expression is important for learning and expanding her view of the world.
"I'm Jewish, but I don't think Nazi propaganda should be banned from the country," she said. "When I see some of the art depicting Hitler's campaign, I am still able to appreciate the art and creativity of the person who designed it."
Kathryn Hooks, director of media and public relations for the American Family Association, said the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently held obscenity as one area of speech not protected by the First Amendment.
"The First Amendment has never been interpreted as preventing censure for criminal matter when published and people can be fined and imprisoned if they distribute obscene material,"she said.
Hooks said the court has not protected certain obscenities such as child pornographies, libel, false advertising, perjury, contempt of court, inciting a riot and falsely shouting "fire" in a crowded theater.
"Pornography is a devastating addiction that destroys lives," she said.
Junior Devin Powell, a member of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, said she can only speak for herself but was unsure of how to respond to the idea of a pornography with religious overtones.
"I don't know that it is my place to say a movie should be banned," she said.
Powell said although her personal choice is to adhere to Christian values, she believes each person should be entitled to choose his or her lifestyle.
She said she disagrees with porn in general because of the negative effects it can have on both women and men concerning rape and sexual assault.
"I think that it is much more important to love people and meet them where they are at than telling them that they are wrong," she said. "I don't really think banning the movie will make people feel more loved and accepted."
Junior Morgan Aird, a member of the university's gospel choir, said she has an appreciation for all forms of art but suppports the ban because she is opposed to anything that negatively depicts Jesus Christ.
"It's a double-edged sword," Aird said. "I have an appreciation for art but at the same time I have a Christian religious belief system which goes against that."
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