Do you remember that story of Snow White and the poison apple? How about Aurora falling asleep in Sleeping Beauty? Did you know that movies that its’ own poison apple and spinning wheel? Long before the rise of DIY movies and streaming, guidelines were a bit tighter for filmmakers. There is a great deal of history within this subject and I won’t talk about it here. It may be coming to a podcast player near you soon. Long before the pornography industry adopted the X rating, it was actually given to mainstream films. Dating way back to the late 1960s, filmgoers as young as 16 years of age could go see an X rated film in the cinema. 

However, as time grew on, studios aimed to veer away from the dreaded X. Normally, this rating carried a stigma with it, typically meaning that your film wouldn’t make as much money as it could with another rating. Some X rated films have gone on to experience glory, like A Clockwork Orange and Midnight Cowboy. Both of which enjoy Oscar fame. However, as time went on, the MPAA changed the dreaded X rating to the now NC-17 rating. There are several reasons as to why this is, but again, you will see this come back in a future podcast episode. Normally when a film is submitted to the MPAA for a rating, you can re-edit a film to avoid the stigmatic rating. There are more than a fair share of films who have opted for that option. While some decide to be bold and keep the NC-17.

Perhaps no film embodied that more than 1995’s Showgirls. Showgirls holds both the record for highest-grossing NC-17 of all time and the record for biggest NC-17 flop of all time. Garnering 37.8 million dollars against a 45 million dollar budget, it is also the most expensive NC-17 movie ever made. Love it or hate it, Showgirls is the subject of the documentary You Don’t Nomi. Much like a fellow bad movie, The Room, Showgirls has earned itself a cult following over the years. One of the strongest factors of this documentary is how it is structured. 

Honestly, the opinion of the film in real life is divided among fans and the film reflects that. One of the biggest faults of documentaries as a genre is the way that they can sometimes be one-sided. The equality of both sides is felt throughout the course of the film, which provides an educational and entertaining final product. Whether you like or hate the source material, the film speaks to both sides. Outside of that, however, it also allows for viewers to understand the poison of the NC-17 rating, to the careers of those involved and the controversy around the time. In some ways, Nomi feels like a time machine for viewers. Though at times, it can feel like a YouTube documentary. The film is comprised of nothing but stock footage and voice work, which makes for an interesting viewing experience but could seriously turn someone off to this film.

Overall, You Don’t Nomi, is a fascinating look into an infamous piece of film history. Its three-act structure allows for a well-rounded look into how Showgirls left its mark on the good and bad alike. This showcasing of how it raised itself from a notorious bomb to cult classic is nothing short of riveting. If you’re a cinephile, this is a must-watch film for you. While the film’s source material is riveting, it can also be a bit bland at times. Never have I ever seen a documentary like this. Filled with stock footage and voice-over work, You Don’t Nomi is a fascinating film from start to finish, even if it is unconventional. 

RORSCHACH RATING:

Victims and Villains is written Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey (and produced by), Caless Davis, Dan Rockwood, Micah Kimber & Brandon Miller . Music by Yuriy Bespalov & Beggars. This post was edited by Cam Smith. You Don’t Nomi is property of RlJE Films . We do not own nor claim any rights. You Don’t Nomi is available VOD & Digital on June 9th, 2020!

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