Bijou has shown porn before, won't show it this weekend

IOWA CITY - A University of Iowa student-run theater won't show a 1970s porn movie this weekend, after UI officials asked theater leaders to cancel it.

The Bijou Theater has shown pornographic movies before, including this weekend's planned “Disco Dolls in Hot Skin.” But Tom Rocklin, the university's interim vice president for student services, asked Bijou student directors to cancel midnight showings Friday and Saturday. Rocklin did not receive complaints but did get a call from a reporter. 

 “It is clearly not in the public interest for a public facility at a public institution to be showing a film of this nature,” he said in a statement. “If showing the film were essential to an educational objective, the situation would be different. The intent in this case was to provide entertainment.”

The Bijou has an autonomous 15-member board of directors that does not need UI approval for screenings.  Executive Director Evan Meaney, a graduate student in cinema, said the cancellation is unfortunate, but board members understand the points raised.

“We recognize their position and we recognize the validity of their position,” he said. “I don't think Tom Rocklin nor I nor anyone at the Bijou wants to censor it, but you have to pick your battles.”

Meaney said he would go to the mat for more substantial cinema.

“We were showing it because it's fun, it's ridiculous,” he said.

“Disco Dolls in Hot Skin” is 3D porn that some consider to be  a camp classic. The Bijou was to charge $7 a ticket and check identification at the door to keep minors out.

The Bijou showed the movie in 2007 to a full house, even turning people away in a snowstorm, said Andy Brodie, former programming director. Theater leaders met with UI officials in 2007 because concerns were raised, but they did show the film, Brodie said.

It's disappointing UI officials stepped in this time, Brodie said, since pornography has academic value in film studies and because other student groups serve only entertainment purposes.

“I think it sets a poor precedent,” he said.

The Bijou, in the Iowa Memorial Union, is funded by ticket sales and student activity fees via the Student Government.