‘Flamingos’ Leads UCI Flock in Shock Value

To John Waters’ real fans, not the Johnny-come-latelys who raved over the studio-financed “Cry-Baby” in 1990, the underground movie maverick can be summed up in two words: “Pink Flamingos.”

Waters’ sleazy, taboo-crunching X-rated flick, released in 1972 and costing only $10,000, reveals what he’s really all about. Shot in the learning-to-walk stage of his peculiar career, “Pink Flamingos” hides nothing of his trash-talking, shock-therapy style.

This cult movie (a favorite especially of those with strong stomachs) may be the ideal starting point for the UC Irvine Film Society’s “Early Films by Acclaimed Directors” series, which opens tonight. At least that’s how the program’s organizers see it.

“We wanted to make something of a statement right at the top,” said Kerby Kunstler, one of four students who run the society with administrator Alice Parsons. “It’s good because we want to show these directors at a more unsophisticated time during their careers,” a time when they were beginning to exhibit themes and techniques that would evolve later on.

“The series also fulfills our obligation to show films that are hard to find and never make their way into theaters. ‘Pink Flamingos’ is certainly in that category.”

Many of the pictures are available on video, but Kunstler is right about the rarity of seeing them on the screen, even in revival houses. Besides the more well-known releases (Blake Edwards’ “A Shot in the Dark,” Jonathan Demme’s “Melvin and Howard” and Alan Parker’s “Midnight Express”), the series offers Spike Lee’s New York University student film “Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads,” Francis Ford Coppola’s “Dementia 13” and Penelope Spheeris’ “The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years.”

But none will be able to top, at least for shock value, the legendary “Pink Flamingos.” Waters’ muse, the 300-pound transvestite Divine, battles with a couple of suburban crooks (they run a baby-selling ring) for the title of the world’s “filthiest” people. The scenario gave Waters ample opportunity for disgusting imagery, including the infamous scene of Divine merrily eating dog droppings.

Shortly after its release, “Pink Flamingos” was banned in a few cities, sparking court hearings over the issue of pornography and censorship. That colorful history didn’t dissuade the UCI Film Society, although there was consideration about the wisdom of screening such a controversial film.

“There was some pretty intense discussion, but we decided we could show something like this because many of the other movies are more mainstream,” Kunstler said. “We also wanted to show that we are not afraid to take chances and want to attract the type of people who prefer the unusual in film.”

Parsons, who coordinates public events for UCI as well as oversees the film society, said she agreed for much the same reasons, but also to ensure the series and its student organizers remain autonomous.

“We (at UCI) try to give the society a lot of freedom and leeway--we don’t believe in censorship. Personally, I have trouble with (more graphic) pornography, and would reject that. As for ‘Pink Flamingos,’ we’re not worried about a backlash.”

Kunstler noted that it’s unlikely someone who might be offended will attend. “Our audience knows what we do; we’re not really that interesting to the person” who is looking for more traditional films.

While attendance at prior society programs has been spotty, Kunstler is optimistic that the success of recent movies by a few of the featured directors should help. She said the Oscars won by Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs” and the popularity of Spheeris’ “Wayne’s World” may generate big crowds for “Melvin and Howard” and “The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years.”

As for Lee’s “Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads,” the society plans to have the most effective tout available--Lee himself is expected to visit the campus prior to the screening.

John Waters’ “Pink Flamingos” will screen tonight at 7 and 9 p.m. at UC Irvine’s Student Center Crystal Cove Auditorium. Tickets: $4. Information: (714) 856-6379.

THE SERIES

UCI Film Society’s “Early Films of Acclaimed Directors”:

Today: “Pink Flamingos” (1972), directed by John Waters and starring Divine.

April 10: “Throne of Blood” (1957), directed by Akira Kurosawa and starring Toshiro Mifune.

April 17: “A Shot in the Dark” (1964), directed by Blake Edwards and starring Peter Sellers.

April 24: “The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years” (1988), directed by Penelope Spheeris.

May 1: “Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads” (1983), directed by Spike Lee. Also, two early shorts by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg will be shown.

May 8: “Videodrome” (1983), directed by David Cronenberg and starring James Woods.

May 15: “Dementia 13” (1963), directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Playing with a short by George Lucas.

May 22: “The Fearless Vampire Killers or: Pardon Me, but Your Teeth Are in My Neck” (1967), directed by Roman Polanski.

May 29: “Melvin and Howard” (1980), directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Jason Robards.

June 5: “Midnight Express” (1978), directed by Alan Parker and starring Brad Davis.

All movies screen at 7 and 9 p.m. at UC Irvine’s Student Center Crystal Cove Auditorium. $4. (714) 856-6379.