Of Freaks and Men (1998)

The perils of pornography have been threatening to undermine society for longer than the casual observer might realize. Why, all the way back in turn-of-the-century St. Petersburgh (at the time, considered one of the most culturally forward cities of the Russian empire) the civilized classes were being menaced by packs of degrading smut merchants, if in fact the theme of Of Freaks and Men (1998) is based on any shred of truth. Shot in period-piece sepia-tone, this post-Soviet production casts a critical eye upon a gang of porno-makers who take advantage of a respectable, well-to-do family and expose them to bare-ass embarrassment and more. Perhaps the fall of the czars and the rise of the Communists was all brought about by a taste of the leisured few for nudie cuties.