The Paradiso Cinema Presents Destricted

Valentine Screening

Baron & Baroness Magazine x The London EDITION

Launching  Thursday February 14

£10 Admission - Ticket includes one aphrodisiac cocktail and popcorn

Admission 18+  only

Music - A valentine mix by Josh Caffe 

WARNING: This video may potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.

Screening times:

19:00 - 20:20

21:00 - 22:20

'Get your pulse racing' - Dazed & Confused

'To be thought about, rather than lusted upon' - Evening Standard

'Championing films about sex and sexuality' - Timeout

'Films, fun and hand wipes will all be on tap!' - I-d Magazine

Baron and Baroness Magazine x The London EDITION, welcome you to a Valentine screening of The Paradiso Cinema. The Paradiso Cinema is a 60 seat cinema for connoisseurs of the finest films about sex and sexuality.

The  fourth edition of The Paradiso Cinema introduces Destricted a seven-episode omnibus picture, which pays homage to classic porn and deconstructs the concepts of obscenity and voyeurism, with a series of extreme tonal variations on the sexual act. 

Destricted is the first short film collection of its kind, bringing together sex and art in a series of films created by some of the world's most visual and provocative artists and directors. They reveal the diverse attitudes by which we represent ourselves sexually. Premiering in 2010 at cinemas worldwide and at Sundance and Cannes, Destricted is a collection of explicit, stimulating, challenging, provocative, strange, and sometimes humorous scenarios that leave it up to the viewer to deliberate, discuss, and enjoy.

Destricted consists of seven Short Films including

Hoist - Matthew Barney stages the erotics of sexual encounter as it takes place between the ‘Green Man’ and the lubricated drive shaft of a customized deforestation vehicle destined for the Carnival de Bahia.

Impaled - Larry Clark cult anthropologist of American adolescence, directs a sensitive yet frank investigation into how, for the generation growing up in the 1980’s, pornography has shaped the way they think about sex and sexual fantasy. The result is a riveting documentary about desire and sexual initiation.

We Fuck Alone - Gaspar Noé  maker of the controversial art-house movie, ‘Irreversible’, now promises to inspire arousal with a cinematically provocative journey into voyeuristic fantasy.

House Call - Richard Prince American iconographer Richard Prince appropriates a segment video that captures the gold standard of ‘70’s porn, re-shooting it in the manner of the cowboys, girlfriends and outlaws that first made him famous.

Balkan Erotic Epic - Marina Abramovic's In Balkan folklore, men and women sought to preserve indestructible energies through the use of the erotic. They believed that erotic energy was something nonhuman that could only come from higher forces. Various explicit acts were performed for a variety of purposes; to promote the growth of crops, to heal a sick child, to protect against evil spirits and so forth. Abramovic's interest lies in what can be learned from these ancient traditions viewed in a contemporary context.

Death Valley - Sam Taylor Johnson Death Valley is recognized as the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and one of the hottest places on earth. The rocks tell a story of endless changes in the earth's crust - vast depositions, contortions, alternate risings and lowerings, faultings, intense heats and pressures. It is here that director Sam Taylor-Wood and cinematographer Seamus McGarvey chose to frame the film 'Death Valley'. The story of a man exploring the experience of self-stimulation, pleasuring, the erotic satisfaction and possibilities with oneself. 

Sync - Marco Brambilla is composed of sampled images from sex scenes in mainstream and adult films. The formulaic and often derivative nature of the way this subject is interpreted in cinema is emphasized, creating a strong subliminal impression, which gradually builds to a state of sensory overload. 'Sync' uses samples as short as single frames edited together to create the impression of motion. The original continuity and narrative in the source material is eliminated, and  a new visual choreography emerges.

Destricted Directors Bio's

Neville Wakefield
An acclaimed art critic, curator and cultural commentator published by The New York Times Magazine, Frieze, Art Forum,ID and Interview to mention a few. Founder of a successful creative talent management company and the author of several books his reputation has been built on an ability to successfully parlay art across cultural boundaries and bring popular commercial success to high aesthetic ambition. Recent projects include Senior Curatorial Advisor at PS1 MoMA, Adam Kimmel Projects, Co-creative director of Tar magazine and curator of Frieze Projects of Frieze Art Fair, London.

Andrew Hale
Founding member and songwriter in internationally acclaimed band Sade whose new album Soldier of Love has been a phenomenon reaching No1 in 19 countries, Hale has a recording studio/art project space from which he is involved in a variety of music driven projects including the provision of music for fashion companies such as Versace, Fendi and Paul Smith. He is currently scoring Rockstar's upcoming video game LA Noire.

Mel Agace
Works as a media consultant; clients include: Virginunite, Theelders.org, UN, Actionaid and Comic Relief. Author of several successful reference books, including the bestseller, “The Sex Book” published by Cassel which was translated into 17 languages. Has also worked as a community consultant architect for the Prince of Wales and Business in the Community throughout eastern and western Europe.

Baron and Baroness Magazine Bio

Baron and Baroness are journals for gentlemen and ladies, who enjoy a cocktail, chit chatting about modern art, fine dressing and when the lights fade become connoisseurs at taking their companion to bed. Baron and Baroness are at the core of human desire and are available in all good stores worldwide, including Dover Street Market, London, Colette Paris and Opening Ceremony, New York.

The London EDITION

The London EDITION has all the hallmarks of the EDITION brand: lasting comfort, extraordinary style and an exceptional level of service in a uniquely individual environment. Located in central London’s Fitzrovia, The London EDITION brings together, in a delicate balancing act, the integrity and character of a historic building with a simple, sophisticated design sensibility, creating a seamless blend of charisma and ease. With 173 rooms, a restaurant, two bars, a dance club, meeting rooms and a buzzing lobby, the hotel offers a dynamic social hub where guests and visitors can work, relax, socialise and dine all under one roof.

Production stills

Photography copyright 2010 Matthew Barney ‘Hoist’

Photography copyright 2010 Marco Brambilla 'Sync'