James Hanlon
Emmy Award-winning filmmaker James Hanlon is working feverishly to promote his latest documentary POPWHORE: A New American Dream, which won the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. The native New Yorker and retired New York City firefighter launched his filmmaking career with the controversial documentary 9/11, which was seen by 100 million people worldwide and won a string of major awards. IFQ caught up with James to hear more about his latest project.
IFQ: Tell me about your latest film.
James Hanlon: I just finished POPWHORE and have been very busy applying to film festivals and speaking with distributors. The film examines the life of a broke and desperate young wife and mother who decides to start a porn Web site starring herself. She finances the endeavor by escorting for the rich and famous. The film follows the woman — San Francisco-based Tatum Reed, AKA Popwhore — on a 12-month journey with her family pursuing the “American Dream.” Along the way, the film shows a 360-degree view of the current sexual fabric of America, including interviews with members of the Christian Right, The ACLU, sex therapists and adult performers. The film, which was shot on location in San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles, ends its final chapter with Popwhore moving to Beverly Hills with her family. She’s seemingly on her way to achieving her dream — but at what cost?
IFQ: What made you want to make this film?
JH: After 13 years with the FDNY, New York City left me with no pay, no pension, and no insurance. You can work your whole life and then get screwed in a minute. I didn’t sleep much and did a lot of writing. I really like exploring controversial material and so my old friend Darren Capik contacted me and said, “I found a woman whose story would be great for a documentary.” I was very reluctant at first but after meeting her and her children, I knew the story would be controversial, and had the capacity to play well with both sides of the argument — meaning everyone has an opinion on sex, money and family.
IFQ: Was POPWHORE a difficult film to make as director and producer? It’s quite a departure from your film about 9/11.
JH: Yes. When I made 9/11, it was a simple story of a boy becoming a man in a 9-month probationary period. It then became much more following the events of September 11th. But I had already been through that experience and it was easy for me to tell that story. With POPWHORE, I had no idea about escorts, prostitution or the Internet porn industry. What I felt as a director was follow the story with her, the children and her husband and include interesting content from therapists, psychologists, adult performers and members from the right and left. I believe this story has the potential to become the first real look into that world.
IFQ: Who is your target audience?
JH: I believe the Conservative right will rally behind the film despite the title and the Left Wing will also hold it up for First Amendment rights. What makes me feel good about the film is everyone will leave the theater and have a strong opinion on the film.
IFQ: What’s next?
JH: I’m about to start serious negotiations with distributors who are interested in acquiring the rights to POPWHORE. I am also finishing up a series on fashion models and will begin development on my next project this August. Yes, it is controversial but that is all I can reveal for now.