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'Howl' Directors Tackling the Porn Star Biopic 'Lovelace' Next

by Ethan Anderton
January 21, 2010

With their Allen Ginsberg biopic Howl premiering at the Sundance Film Festival this week, Oscar winner Rob Epstein and co-director Jeffrey Friedman have just landed their second job as Variety reports the duo have signed on to direct Lovelace, a biopic chronicling Linda Boreman's rise to fame as iconic porn star Linda Lovelace, star of the infamous 1972 porno film Deep Throat, to her sudden turn as a feminist and anti-porn activist. The story is told from the point-of-view of three interviewers at various stages of her life. I'm very interested in discovering how a woman makes such a drastic change in lifestyle.

Written by by W. Merritt Johnson (HBO's "In Treatment"), the script draws from Eric Danville's bio The Complete Linda Lovelace. But this isn't the first time Lovelace's story has been highlighted outside of the adult entertainment world. In 2005, Lovelace was the subject of the cleverly titled documentary Inside Deep Throat which also chronicled the making of what turned out to arguably be the most profitable film of all time and the first mainstream porno.

Epstein says, "Linda is this fascinating character who continually reinvented herself and her story based on changing circumstances. It's a story with great dramatic and psychological dimensions." I guess you've got to have quite the expansive psychological dimensions to put yourself in provocative positions and then end up condemning them later. This hould be quite an in depth biopic. It looks like Epstein and Friedman love tackling edgy topics and it's great to see that happening these days. Until we hear more about Lovelace, stay tuned for early reactions from Alex and Brandon at Sundance regarding Epstein and Friedman's Howl.

Explore tags: Movie News, Opinions

Petoria

"I'd really like to know what turns one of the biggest sluts in the world into an anti-porn activist? Magic?" Ummm...the degrading experience of being in porn?
Brock Landers

At least half of it should be interesting.
Cody

I rarely ever say this on what I know is a MOVIE news site but who the fuck cares.
Willy Wonka Balls

"I'd really like to know what turns one of the biggest sluts in the world into an anti-porn activist? Magic?" -Not magic. Money.
Mr.Mr

fucking on film for money does not make her a slut, it makes her business savvy. duh.
Bo

Whoa, my man...pretty heavy judgment stuff re: 'biggest slut'...nothing surprises me anymore, but careful of he who casts the first stone, my man. Why not try to ply a little understanding instead of such judgment? Like perhaps she was a pretty damaged lady and filled with self-hatred and self-loathing and struggling through life like we all are. But to be so judgmental of someone who no doubt suffered greatly in her life and you only add to it? I don't know, my man. Something for you to look at? Easy to judge others for their shortcomings...much more difficult to look at our own.
Scagginsvolley

FYI...Linda Lovelace is NOT the biggest slut in the world. Not by a long shot.
http://www.firstshowing.net Ethan Anderton

@ Bo, I know what you mean, and my comments were meant to convey disbelief more than they are intended to straight up insult her. Of course, doing pornography isn't exactly the most respected of career choices, but by no means is it my intention to insult her. I'm definitely interested in seeing her story, if anything just so I can understand her motivation.
favre4444

First of all anyone who fucks on film for a living is a prostitute/slut......... that being said I think it would be the coolest job ever
Matt

"I'd really like to know what turns one of the biggest sluts in the world into an anti-porn activist? Magic?" She made something like only five pornos at the hand of her controlling and sadistic husband and was ultimately killed in a car crash a few years ago.
http://www.firstshowing.net Ethan Anderton

Leave it to the Internet to know every facet of a porn star's life and defend her honorably. Sorry I'm not all up to date on the intricacies and in depth life details on Linda Lovelace. Obviously this is why the film will be an eye-opening and educational look into a woman who was disgraced by her abusive husband and had her life destroyed by pornography.
Norm Gann

I'd really like to know what turns one of the biggest sluts in the world into an anti-porn activist? Magic? There was a book written by her or about her in the 80's. Her claim was she was abused & stuffed full of drugs. There is also a claim that you can see bruises on her legs & body from where she was beaten by her husband and forced to do the film. Prior to DT, she did some crappy little backroom stuff, based on the book. Yes, I read it, but hey, I was a teenager, I thought it was gonna be more sex. Go figure.
David Banner

"I'd really like to know what turns one of the biggest sluts in the world into an anti-porn activist? Magic?" Erh...how about a gun to her head during takes of Deep Throat? Or seeing how women are treated in this industry. Jeez dude.... On another note, the highest grosing "film" in the world, might be Deep Throat. It made over $600 million at the boxoffice. Adjusted to inflation...that is...erh...atleast twice if not three times the ammount. And the mafia took it all
Rob

"I'd really like to know what turns one of the biggest sluts in the world into an anti-porn activist? Magic?! I'm trying to think of a pithy reply to let you know how moronic it is to think along these lines but it's really not worth the effort.
http://www.firstshowing.net Ethan Anderton

@ Rob, #14 Thanks for sparing me. I'm trying to think of a good reason that you bothered to write that comment aside from loving to read your own sarcasm, but it's really not worth the effort. Also I think if you'll read the previous comments then you'll find that the point has been reiterated several times. Thanks for playing.
Bobby

Ethan, I know repeating yourself gets annoying, but the fact that the over half the comments on this article are about your 'slut' remark should be enough to let you know that maybe this requires more than just a defensive attitude or a sarcastic response. "Leave it to the Internet to know every facet of a porn star's life and defend her honorably." I know nothing about Linda Lovelace, but I have the sense that people here are reacting to the fact that what you said is pretty misogynistic (or, at the least, sexist). I agree with Bo, above, and have a lot more respect for the way you responded to him than to #10, or #14.
Rob

#16 gets it in one. Ethan, whilst you were addressing the comment you totally failed to comprehend why it was a bonehead thing to say. It's not just the fact that it's a pretty misogynistic point of view, it's also nasty, childish and backward.
branden

Agree with #16 and 17. Out of all the writers on this site I like Ethan the least. Seriously, "thanks for playing." Is writing about movies a game to you or something? You are a joke.
http://www.firstshowing.net Ethan Anderton

All right guys, You've made your point. Honestly, I'm sorry for any sexist or misogynistic implications that my comments may created. It was not my intention to sully the reputation of a woman who has obviously already faced her fair share of demons, but rather express my disbelief and baffled thoughts about this woman's sudden turn in her lifestyle. My choice of words and my insensitive reading of her life was ill-mannered. At the time of writing the article I was not aware of her husband's abuse or forced involvement in pornography, so I apologize. In addition I have changed the opening to more respectfully discuss Lovelace's life. However, in these situations, it's hard not to respond to scathing, and unnecessarily insulting criticism with a jaded and sarcastic defense. I don't mind if you disagree with what I say, or for that matter criticize it, but maybe, just maybe, you can try to do it tactfully and without personal insult attached. So if we could please move on and stop dwelling on my mistake. Yes, it was a mistake. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for calling attention to my shortcomings, and furthering discussion on the site. Regards,
Bobby

Thank you for the changing the article. I'm always impressed by all of the FS writers' maturity in acknowledging mistakes and disarming trolls with humility (speaking as a disarmed troll, myself). In this case, while "nasty and backwards" are kind of fitting, in terms of the "slut" label, I was most surprised by what you call the "disbelief" in the baffling nature of the change she made. It shows a lack of empathy, or ability to imagine what seems like a pretty evident pattern of cause-and-effect. How does a porn-star become anti-porn? That's like asking how a junkie becomes a rehab counselor, or a soldier becomes anti-war. They have horrible experiences. To suggest that it would take magic is a slight to what she might have gone through in a time when being able to be "feminist" wasn't something we take for granted, and in an industry that is notorious for being exploitative and abusive, with very little legal recourse for those who do get victimized. Not to get all down on the porn industry... Anyway, I appreciate the thought you gave the comments. You guys are good dudes.