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this whole pop culture, ‘70s and ‘80s thing. But it’s
also that porn has become cool again. You see
people with porn star t-shirts, the music, every-
thing. And it all came together at the right time to
give it this cachet value.”

But what of the films themselves? The storylines
and plots certainly differ from what one might
expect to see of current mainstream x-rated fare,
with an attention to detail and craft that many mod-
ern productions lack. And the scope and richness
of film compared to video is a debate long since
won. This is not to say that these movies are all
high art. Like any film genre, there is good and
there is god-awful. And esthetics and mise-en-
scene aside, it’s still about getting your jollies. But
the films have an intrinsic value, not just as a
record of film history, but as a time capsule of our
own society’s values, taboos, and desires. Most of
the movies from this era have been re-released
on video or DVD, ensuring that porn purists and
amateur archivists everywhere can continue to
enjoy them.

But renting or purchasing these movies does

other press

deprive the viewer of the original context in which
they were seen. Otis is thrilled that the Porno Chic
evenings have created sufficient buzz that people
are visiting the theatre even on its regular days of
operation. He plans to continue with his bawdy
brainchild, but says, “I know | could show just
about anything now and people would come out,
y'know? ‘Porn night at the Fox, music, prizes and
beer, and yeah, by the way, here’s what we’re
showing.’ But | like showing things that are signifi-
cant, that create an event around it.” Otis has
another film project in the works as well—his own
documentary about the Fox Cinema.

In the meantime, the humble Fox is enjoying its
new (and newly-profitable) status. Following the
success of the Porno Chic events, the theatre now
sports a new outdoor sign and an interior paint job.
Otis laments the “irony” of the cosmetic improve-
ments to the theatre.

He hopes that the changes won't drive away the
old regulars that have been coming to the Fox for
almost twenty years, back when the theatre and its
patrons went quietly about their business. Otis

>>> FEATURES

believes that all of these customers aren't just
there out of convenience or habit, but that many
have a desire to experience a kind of sexual
honesty or even, dare we say it, love. “A lot of
these old movies...there’s naturalness to them, a
lot of heartfelt sincerity. A lot of them are about
relationships...people just routinely dismiss the
whole thing, that all porn is sleazy, but these
people, they were really trying for something.”

The porn future looks bright for Otis, as he
makes contact with porn legends like Jamie Gillis
and Ron Jeremy, and looks for new ideas and
events to bring to Vancouver. He’s on his way fur-
ther down Main Street, to the Venus adult theatre.
He’s interested in booking the space for future
events. “Yeah, it’s funny, actually. They got in touch
with me, after hearing about the stuff at the Fox.
I’m like this impresario now!“ The Venus doesn’t
show film, but Otis thinks the space would be great
for a gig or another event. “Plus,” he says, grinning
conspiratorially, “I hear they’ve got a good film print
of Debbie Does Dallas hiding up there. That would
be really cool.”

Diverse Messages Flow From 68

Protests and Observers
Politics and Peaceful Protest Highlight Summit

 

Jhennifer Pabillano and Neil Parmar
Gateway
(CUP)

The world’s eight most powerful nations met
to discuss issues of economic growth, African
development, and the war against terrorism in
Kananaskis, Alberta last week. But the far-
reaching global effects of their conclusions has

brought heavy criticism and strident political action
from groups questioning the Group of Eight (G8)’s
dominance on the world stage.

Despite the violent demonstrations that marked
the last G8 summit in Genoa, which resulted in the
death of one protester, this years events in
Kananaskis produced relatively small and peace-
ful demonstrations that emphasized their anti-G8
message. Security arrangements localized politi-
cal action and international media coverage to the
city of Calgary, and for two days the western city
was put under the global microscope. And per-
haps, justifiably so, the diverse actions and results
of the G8 this year will affect summits and protests
for years to come.

What is the G8 Summit?

The Group of 8 is comprised of the eight most
economically powerful countries in the world, and
meets annually to discuss global challenges.

They initially formed in 1975 to debate defense
issues like international security and nuclear safe-
ty, and only recently did its agenda broaden
to include relief-aid concerns like New Partnership
for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Although it

considers itself a discussion forum only, their
decisions affect policies in other international
organizations, like the World Bank.

Currently the G8 economies account for 48 per
cent of the global economy, 80 per cent of the eco-
nomic activity of developed economies, and 49 per
cent of global trade. These are just some of the
reasons why promoting strong and sustainable
global economic growth is central to the priority of
G8 leaders.

Operation Observation

No matter how many participants took part in
Calgary’s anti-globalization protests, the “G-8
Observers” were easy to spot. They were volun-
teers clad in neon-coloured shirts and sponsored
by both the Alberta Civil Liberties Association and
Amnesty International.

Their task was to watch protestors interacting
with police and record everything they saw as
objectively as possible. In total they attended
almost a dozen protests during the week of the
summit.

“Essentially what we’re doing is providing an
unbiased assessment of what happens during the

continued on page 20

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