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The last programme in The Dark Side of Porn series investigates the story behind one of the most infamous films in porn history, and reveals how the now-legendary film came to be made.
The film was smuggled into Britain 25 years ago and contained images of such sexual depravity it was never officially released. No one is quite sure where the film came from or how it was made. The Search for Animal Farm reveals the people who made the film, the impact it had on Britain's porn industry and the dark secret of the woman who became known as the queen of bestiality.
The film was smuggled into Britain 25 years ago and contained images of such sexual depravity it was never officially released. No one is quite sure where the film came from or how it was made. The Search for Animal Farm reveals the people who made the film, the impact it had on Britain's porn industry and the dark secret of the woman who became known as the queen of bestiality.
The Issues
In the 80s what started as a trickle of illegal hardcore tapes has now become a torrent of the most extreme material imaginable. And what was once thought of as shocking is now considered the norm.
With millions of specialist hardcore DVDs, magazines and websites readily available, many people are now calling for a change in the Obscene Publications Act. In 2006, the government will debate whether or not to amend the Act to treat bestial pornography and extreme violent sexual material in the same tough way as we treat child pornography.
• Like the VHS before it, the Internet has transformed the face of pornography.
• There over 2.5 million bestiality websites available… and growing.
• Like the VHS before it, the Internet has transformed the face of pornography.
• There over 2.5 million bestiality websites available… and growing.
• It has always been an offence to sell and distribute extreme pornography but the actual possession of extreme material is still legal.
• There is one exception. The possession of child pornography is outlawed under the Child Protection Act.
• The penalties for the possession of child pornography are a maximum of 5 years imprisonment, and for the production and / or distibution of child pornography it is a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.
• The Obscene Publications Act was introduced in September 1857 by Lord Campbell, the Lord Chief Justice but the principal control on obscene material in the UK is the 1959 Act.
• Supporters of the amendment of the Obscene Publications Act argue it would help us to to set limits to the growth of extreme porn and to the depths pornographers will go to as well as protecting the public from harm.
• Opponents argue that the proposed amendment is an infringment of our human rights and that they will fight for any amendment to be overturned.
• There is one exception. The possession of child pornography is outlawed under the Child Protection Act.
• The penalties for the possession of child pornography are a maximum of 5 years imprisonment, and for the production and / or distibution of child pornography it is a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.
• The Obscene Publications Act was introduced in September 1857 by Lord Campbell, the Lord Chief Justice but the principal control on obscene material in the UK is the 1959 Act.
• Supporters of the amendment of the Obscene Publications Act argue it would help us to to set limits to the growth of extreme porn and to the depths pornographers will go to as well as protecting the public from harm.
• Opponents argue that the proposed amendment is an infringment of our human rights and that they will fight for any amendment to be overturned.
What do you think?
You've read the issues, facts and figures but what did you think about the proposed amendment to the Obscene Publications Act? We asked you:
Should the Obscene Publications Act be amended to treat bestial pornography and extreme violent sexual material in the same way as child pornography?
and you thought:
Yes – 38%
No – 54%
Undecided – 8%
Yes – 38%
No – 54%
Undecided – 8%
The Search for Animal Farm was first shown on C4: Wednesday, 19th April 2006
