This LLC2000 poster presentation described and displayed my progress in creating a documentary that deals with the subject from an humanistic point of view. I have been involved in the S&M scene for 8 years now and continue to be impressed with the abundance of intellect, caring, and open communication in the community. "Safe, sane, and consensual" is the S&M creed - a reality quite different from most outsiders' portrayals.

The S&M community is comprised of individuals with myriad interests - many of which have nothing to do with giving or receiving pain. Practitioners come from a variety of socioeconomic and philosophical backgrounds. I chose to interview a group of people who represent this diversity. Many of those interviewed have been fascinated with acts of S&M since they were young children. Many resisted and repressed these impulses for years, fearing the very real possibility of reprisals in their personal and professional lives, before eventually finding some degree of self-acceptance.

I have videotaped people talking about everything from their childhoods to their favorite perversions, and have photographed them in their homes and dungeons. I am digitally combining these images with personal photographs furnished by the participants.

Hide and Seek will cover such topics as gender identity, role playing, coming out, misconceptions about the community, and will include stories about experiences of S&M. Parts of actual S&M scenes will also be included. The end result will be an intimate and realistic look at an often misunderstood, and even feared, minority.

For more information:

Debora Brown

naiad9@hotmail.com

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