to think that Billy Bob and Zak Make a Porno (or whatever their names are) is quite an offensive title?

[surprise]

Saw this advertised in huge letters on the side of a bus today, and thought it quite offensive. Am I getting old?

"In the film Superbad (a Seth Rogen film) there are endless sexist jokes (for instance a scene in which a guy gets his first close dance, but the girl has her period and so bleeds on his leg, cue much hilarity and disgust etc), but the final 'take home' message is a positive one. "

sorry but this is just a typical example of looking for sexism where there is none. how is this a sexist joke?it's a joke played for cringeworthy embarresment but i fail to see the sexism. unless you are also willing to claim that the zipper scene in "something about mary" or probably mor apt the premature ejaculation scene in "american pie" are sexist towards men. they are jokes based on embarresment/social awkwardness but in what way is it sexist?at no point does it make any value judgment on the woman for having a period or somehow imply that men are better than women.

when i saw the title of this movie on the side of a bus I had a little flutter of disquiet..
i think because it makes 'making a porno' sound cute and kooky, a fun kinda thing to do...
which plainly, most porn films aren't

am also heartily sick of seeing Belle de Jour's arse around town advertising a novel about-i can only assume as I sure as hell don't intend to read it- how fun and glamorous it is to frolic about in nice undies being a prostitute...

Got a letter from ASA today to say that it is going to be investigated. Good.

if you think the ad is wrong and inappropriate, complain here

Just to be fair (fully aware I'm going to bring all the "women are innocent victims of men" mentality down on me) I've seen both the Zack and Miri and Superbad films.
I don't think any of the actress' in the movies were at gunpoint.
Women have a larger vocabulary than men...their brains function faster and develop so they are actually more intelligent than the male brain. Females outnumber males (except maybe in China or Alaska for reasons that I'm not going to go into).
Women are still dominating as far as sex goes...there are forums that the "helpless" argument is better suited for such as childbrides sent into slavery. These films are really that big a deal. Pick your battles ladies. The films are already made and out there...and for the most part over.
Next year they won't even be remembered.

I was going to write a thread with this exact title! I think it is shocking and in really bad taste. The film looks like a load of shite too...

wehaveallbeenthere....am not actually that arsed about the content of the film
it's the bandying of the term 'porno' about in the mainstream ie on the side of buses that is a little offensive...

I complained too. I am FAR from being a prude - but I just think that we should protect innocence for as long as we can, and having words like Porno emblazened on the side of a bus do nothing to help that.

I couldn't give a toss about the movie, if it's any good, if it portrays women as victims and all the rest of the debate going on here, I just think that to use the word Porno in a film title, overstepped that little imaginary line in my head about what is acceptable to advertise mainstream.

Thanks for the link guys. I saw this ad on a bus the other day and was very , not just about exposing my dcs to it but because I don't particularly want the idea of porn thrust at me on the way to work.

I agree with others - it's not about what the film's like, and it's not about banning the film - people are perfectly welcome to go and see it if they like - it's the forcing it on you without any choice element of the bus advert I object to.

Though I have to say, IME the ASA is a bit like a chocolate teapot when it comes to responding to complaints from women about traditionally sexist advertising (unlike ads which show a man sexually subordinate to women, complaints about which they usually act on). IIRC I once saw some figures which showed they were pretty inconsistent on this.

Already said that the op is YANBU for the porno ad on the bus side.
My argument is because the majority (if anyone other than myself) has actually seen the movie "Zack and Miri Make A Porno" or "Superbad". Btw...the woman in "Superbad" is taking advantage of the boy. She is fully aware she is having her period and grinds herself against him (she is apparently known for this by everyone that she parites with) to make sure her "boyfriend" who looks to be in his late 20s to early 30s knows she is with other guys.
The advertising of the word on a public bus is a problem...and the origin of this thread. The actual argument against the director (and possibly the producers) is not.
Dittany, I'm entitled to my opinion. You can make all the rantings about your battle For Womens Rights that you want to...I applaud you for that but these films aren't exactly the best case IMO.

mayorquimby, I agree with your "sexism" argument. These films play more to the ignorance of men than toward their taking any kind of advantage of women.

I don't see any "misogyny" in these films. Has anyone seen any of the slasher films of the past couple years? "Hostel"? Lots of "misanthropy" but the hatred is across the board.
There is "prostitution" and poverty in that movie. The females though use their sexuality to lure men (obviously wanting sex) to the slaughterhouse.
If your argument is with the term "porn" then it has a 50% representation with men as well as women.
For the most part, in the sexual industry, women are clearly the dominating factor.

What's your opinion of the popular Beat Combo 'porno for Pyros' ?

"If your argument is with the term "porn" then it has a 50% representation with men as well as women.
For the most part, in the sexual industry, women are clearly the dominating factor. "

You need to clarify what you mean but this WHABT because it doesn't make much sense to me. Men control the porn industry and are the biggest consumers by far.

Anyway, 'The females though use their sexuality to lure men (obviously wanting sex) to the slaughterhouse.' does sound like a misogynist way to represent women.

this is the number for warner bros in London if anyone feels like complaining 02073683500

You are entitled to your opinion dittany. I'll post where I see fit. For the directors imagination...I'm sure all the women in the picture (and those behind the camera) were there at gunpoint.
I don't see your point either. It seems you cannot make a good argument when your viewpoint is disputed clearly.
I've said (and I've seen the films) that the boy is taken advantage of but you try to make it sound as if it is the argument of the director to make women still look bad.
I am supportive of womens rights. I just don't support putting down something that has nothing to do with that argument or with the original post.
So I'm off to fund a family in need (no pun there, I am actually) as I'm sure you will find something else to say. I still stick by my arguments.

This particular ad will be history, certainly. But it breaks a boundary and I want that boundary to stay in place. I don't want the concept of pornography to be something I my children are forced to engage with. THere is no benefit to me or to my kids to see the word porno on the side of a bus on my local high street as I take them to school. It can only be harmful. There is no value to them in knowing about pornography. If this ad is unchallenged, it will open the doors for porn to become even more mainstream. I also bloody hate Fcuk t-shirts, porn star in training t-shirts and the rest of this witless, objectifying crap, and I have the right to say, I don't want this, a right I am exercising, thank you.

As for the idea that portraying a woman who 'deliberately' 'grinds' herself against men in order to smear them with menstrual blood is somehow not misogynist...

complain that is your Prerogative but ease up on the grandiose tub thumping statements

For the future of women...
i want to protect my community....

No sense of over reaction or over stating your influence and scope then?you are complaining to ASA about visual merchandising not the home secretary about policing and protecting women

would love to see an evidence based discussion on how banning this ad will achive either of those

clicky

PMSL at this thread. YABU and prude.

If the Ad was of a naked woman and man making the porn film then yes maybe but for the word porn to cause so much offence is a joke. I don't know many under lets say 6year olds who can read that well or that would notice the advert on a bus

The film looks great and its hardly encouraging everyone to go out and make porn films or watch porn films.

Also I am sure the Ad is on TV so are you going to complain about that as well because if kids hear the word porn there ears may fall off or they may be encouraged to become porn stars!

You know what, I don't really care what people who want to protect the right of multi-billion dollar corporations to force my kids to engage with the porn industry think about anything! Really I don't. I can just happily disregard anything they say, as they clearly aren't capable of thinking straight. I'm really glad I've complained, and have a feeling this will not happen again.