Curiousity
To Whom it may concern,
I am not writing this to specifically flame and/or bother anyone. Reading the post made me think that D. Stevens has no knowledge about the subject which he wrote a movie for, (if the summary is any indication) that is. I will probably spend my money to see this film, when it either comes out on DVD or ends up in my local theatre. Personally speaking, I am involved in the lifestyle known as BDSM; and if this movie proves to be satirical then let it be so. However, if it proves to be dogmatic, I will probably find myself saddened and undoubtedly both slided and offended.
It is mentioned in the post that, "Insiders" refer to such agreements as "TPE" and that there is some kind of Global Slave Market. Allow me to please enlighten you, dear reader on these two items at first hand. There are no insiders, and the term TPE refers to something known in BDSM as Total Power Exchange; which refers to one trusting another enough to have total control over them during a relationship 24/7. May I note here dear reader that this is CONSENSUAL, not forced and is certainly not binding. As to the GSM no such market exists, not in BDSM or any other place.
The fact that someone would seek out another human being and pay them to replace a Dog, in a sexual/slave or "Pet" oriented manner as displayed in this movie is simply appalling and disgusting-and is in no way affiliated with the BDSM lifestyle. I'm going to cite the post itself, and clear a few things up for you now.
"This exploration of power, trust and captivity were inspired by the prevalence of more-or-less consensual slave/master related lifestyles as well as the existence of global systemic servitude that allows for cheap labor, sex slaves, organ sales etc."
Let's look at the terms used here, "prevalence" and "more-or-less consensual slave/master lifestyles" suggests that this was spoken flippantly and with disdain for those who practice such. This speaks volumes on the mentality (or lack there of) the person and idea behind this film. This portion of the post also attempts to tie the BDSM lifestyle with the underground market of human trafficking-I can tell you right now, these two things are totally different, and have no affiliation with one another whatsoever.
The fact that D Stevens would cite specifically; slave labor, forced sexual slavery, and organ sales speaks volumes about his lack of knowledge into the subject. It is truly appalling to see something this dogmatic folks and all it will really do is fuel the prejudice the public, and "God Fearing Bible Thumpers" have for those who practice the BDSM lifestyle. To even compare the BDSM Lifestyle and Human Trafficking, is sickening to me; and most likely every other law abiding citizen out there who practices the BDSM lifestyle. Allow me to cite this "brilliant" piece of cinematography once more.
"There are 11 companies in the US and the UK that makes human pet cages, human auctions where the purchaser can completes the transaction through "Pay Pal", can be found throughout the Internet and slave marking listings such as branding, piercing, tagging and what insiders refer to as TPE [Total Power Exchange] for consensual slaves number in the thousands on the Internet. The GSM is modeled upon and functions much the same way as the NYSE or NASDAQ but without the pretense of regulation and with humans as commodities."
D Stevens was wrong, there are more companies out there that make Collars, Leashes, Leather Restraints, Cages, Bondage Equipment, and other things for the BDSM lifestyle. Why do they do this you may ask? Because my dear reader, people out there will buy such Implements and use them in Safe, Sane, and Consensual BDSM Play. They make pretty good money too doing that; more than those who are prejudiced against them and would seek to call them "Obscene" and "Mentally Ill". Branding or Scarification and Piercing have been around for ages; after all women pierce their ears and tongues do they not? Another thing our dear friend D Stevens is wrong about is that we as CONSENSUAL Masters and Slaves don't number in the thousands, my dear reader we number in the tens of millions and yes, do have opinions and feelings.
Feel free to judge me as you will, dear reader; I leave that decision up to you. I just felt the need, and duty to clear up a few things that I saw as grave misappropriations, and prejudices that will only end up harming rather than doing any real good. It is clear to me, through the summary of this movie, that either D Stevens and the production staff, didn't do their research or just didn't care.
NOTE: I would also like to note that the information I cited here from the IMDB website is copyrighted and trademarked it's respective owners and holders.