The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996). Photofest.
(Miloš Forman, US 1996, 130 min., 35mm)
A biography of pornographer Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler, was bound to be controversial. Indeed, multiple protests claimed the film glorifies the industry, but director Miloš Forman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) insisted he saw Flynt as a defender of his constitutional rights first, and a pervert second. The film follows Flynt’s multiple court cases in the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in a battle between Flynt (played by Woody Harrelson) and Jerry Falwell (Richard Paul). Despite being a financial flop, The People vs. Larry Flynt, produced by Oliver Stone, was acclaimed by critics and garnered Harrelson and Courtney Love multiple accolades, making it a new classic in contemporary film.