Ban the Sadist Videos!

The film constructs its argument by relying on a potent mix of archival news footage, sensationalist newspaper clippings, and firsthand accounts from both sides of the debate. It explores the mechanics of a moral panic, detailing how specific films were prosecuted and how the law was weaponized against a burgeoning subculture.

What lingers after the credits roll is a chilling recognition of how easily art can be criminalized by public fear. The parallels to modern-day content wars are left unnervingly clear. — MovieFinder Editorial