DOC NYC 2022 – “Queen of the Deuce” (Seth Shire)

November 14, 2022.  Writer, director and producer Valerie Kontakos’ documentary “Queen of the Deuce” is a raucous, insightful, heartwarming, outrageous, “stranger than fiction” tale of survival against tyranny and traditional norms.  Chelly Wilson, a larger-than-life character, was a Jewish, Greek immigrant to the United States who fled the Nazis from Greece in the 1940s, only to blossom in the pornographic movie business in Times Square during from the late 60s to the mid-80s.

Chelly’s eclectically decorated apartment was located above, and could be entered from inside the lobby of, the “Adonis,” New York’s premiere gay porn movie theatre over which Chelly reigned.  Chelly owned more porn theatres in New York City than anyone and was even involved with the production of pornographic films.  Her grandson, interviewed in the film, recalls “Everything you said about her sounded like it was made up.  She was completely the most un-grandma–like person anyone could have.”

“Circus of Books” Starts Today on Netflix (Seth Shire)

April 22, 2020.  While many are at home watching Netflix and are, obviously, unable to attend the cancelled Tribeca Film Festival, I want to draw attention to my favorite film from the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, which comes to Netflix today. “Circus of Books” is an unusual, poignant, funny and thought provoking documentary. Filmmaker Rachel Mason turns the camera on herself and her family and takes the personal documentary in a direction that is original and innovative.

The Masons are a middle class, Jewish family living in Los Angeles, a mother, father and three kids. The parents, Karen and Barry Mason, are a happy couple who met at a Jewish singles’ dance many years earlier. Karen attends synagogue regularly, Barry not at all. Karen is aggressive, Barry more passive. They run a book store, “Circus of Books,” make a decent living and put their kids through college.

So, as they say in the movie business, where’s the “hook”? Why should anyone care about the Mason family? Why would daughter and director Rachel Mason even make this documentary? Are you ready? Here’s the twist. “Circus of Books” sold gay male pornography – videos, books and magazines.

Tribeca Film Festival 2019 – “Circus of Books” (Seth Shire)

Barry and Karen Mason

April 28, 2019.  A middle class, Jewish family living in Los Angeles: a mother, father and three kids. The parents, Karen and Barry Mason, are a happy couple who met at a Jewish singles’ dance many years earlier. Karen attends synagogue regularly, Barry not at all. Karen is aggressive. Barry is passive. They ran a book store, “Circus of Books,” made a decent living and put their kids through college. So, as they say in the movie business, where’s the “hook”? Why should anyone care about the Mason family? Why would daughter and director Rachel Mason even make this documentary? Are you ready? Here’s the hook. “Circus of Books” sold gay male pornography – videos, books and magazines.