Rio Theatre screening of ‘Deep Throat’ prompts protest

Despite outcry, the Rio Theatre in Vancouver went ahead with a screening of a controversial adult film, prompting protest from some.

A crowd of people gathered outside the East Vancouver venue Wednesday night, some carrying signs slamming the decision to air ‘Deep Throat.’

The Rio’s plan to screen the movie was met by calls for the event to be cancelled this week, with many speaking out after the film’s star said she was coerced into the film by her abusive partner.

“#BelieveLinda. ‘Deep Throat’ is filmed rape,” read one sign carried by a protester.

“Coercion ≠ consent,” another said.

“Rio Theatre ‘celebrates’ rape culture tonight,” a third sign read.

A protest formed outside the Rio Theatre in Vancouver on Sept. 14, 2022 after the venue went ahead with a screening of ‘Deep Throat,’ a controversial adult film for which the lead actress has said she was coerced into doing it by her abusive husband. (CityNews Image)

Linda Lovelace, who died in 2002, wrote in one of her books that her ex-husband forced her into porn by threatening her with a gun. During a commission on pornography in 1986, she testified, “when you see the movie ‘Deep Throat’, you are watching me being raped.”

Many took to social media to call for the planned screening to be called off, calling it disgusting and appalling.

Angela Marie MacDougall, executive director, Battered Women’s Support Services, previously told CityNews Lovelace was “pretty clear about what it was like for her to be a battered woman” during the making of the film, adding “those are facts: the fact she was abused, that she was exploited.”

“We’re talking about exploitation — documented exploitation — of somebody that was involved in this film,” MacDougall said.

“Her voice matters, her experience matters.”

However, the owner and operator of the Rio has said Lovelace has also made statements suggesting she wasn’t coerced.

“It’s not really clear that there’s just one way of viewing her experience with the film,” Lea told CityNews earlier this week. “‘Deep Throat’ has always been a historically significant film in that it changed pop culture significantly and the way porn was viewed.”

The film was screened the day that marked 50 years since the film was made. It featured a panel discussion with a film professor, sex worker advocates, and the son and daughter of the film’s director — both of whom have said they understand the movie is controversial.

(CityNews Image)

“Linda suffered greatly at the hands of her own husband in really what is a case of domestic abuse,” said Gerard Damiano Jr., son of Gerard Damiano, the director of “Deep Throat”.

“Linda’s perspective on her involvement in ‘Deep Throat’ evolved over time as did she. And most people base their judgement not on the film itself because most of the people that are critical have never even seen the film.”

“There’s a lot of misinformation about what happened and what went on and people love to form their own opinion from something that they’ve heard. So we want to be able to really give the truth of what happened,” Christar, Gerard Damiano’s daughter, added.

While the Rio had said it was donating a portion of proceeds to the WISH Society, the organization, which supports sex workers, later told CityNews it would not accept donations from the event, adding, “We are not affiliated with this event, we did not accept to participate.”

Amid the backlash, Lea says the theatre had received threats, which she had to report to police.