Pink Flamingos have changed my life

It's hard for a film to make someone view the world differently. In a sense, the movies that changed your life could be your favorite films, because they have something that resonates with you beyond simple interest and into obsession. Or... they could be movies that you never want to see again because they show you asinine characteristics of humanity that you want to block out. Obviously, it wouldn't be a very large list, because not every movie is going to hit you in that profound of a way, but feel free to be moved either way.

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Pink Flamingos was my first venture into what is sort of whole subgenre of its own, trash cinema. Seeing the trash epic on your first go sets some high standards, which I wont even bother to live up to simply for the sake or demeaning it's value, like the saying "you can't polish a turd". If I put too much thought into trash, then I'd be polishing that turd, and I can't polish that turd. I have to put it in my mouth and eat it!

Divine became a sort of pop icon because of this film, and John Waters became the pope of trash because of it, but why? What is it about this film that's sooo amazing? Well, Pink Flamingos is boundary-pushing, over-acted, taboo filth-fest. It's amazing how this grainy mess of film stock became a hypnotic cult film. It's the kind of low-budget film that was shot on weekends with a cast and crew of people who were making the film not for money, but for a fun experience. An exercise in bad taste!

Mostly, the film sets out to offend, and it does just that. It proves that your film doesn't need a good message to stand out. It just plays off any cinematic wrong-doing as experimental film-making, aka "artistic license", which brought me to the point of analyzing the people behind this film. John Waters is a very interesting man who had his own influences, and then you begin to realize that every film-maker out there has his or her own influences, but you can't set out solely to imitate or be influenced by someone. You just have to do what you want. Pink Flamingos goes there, and in it's own Dreamlander world, it can get away with anything.

The "Dreamlanders" are the surprisingly charming bunch of regulars that star in several John Waters films. I suppose it's infinitely easier to work with people you know, as compared to working with high-paid Hollywood actors who have to follow S.A.G. guidelines and the likes. Obviously, Pink Flamingos didn't give a fuck about any of that, and went the independent route. Our actors go all out, showing off their cocks, fucking with chickens, and eating real dog shit. Divine's motivation behind this was to prove himself to be the filthiest actress. We go beyond dedication to playing a part, and into the desire to be that part.

John Waters wanted to make a socially irredeemable movie, but even something as foul as two rival families fighting in the name of filth comes off as genuine, because Johnny put his heart into this trash, and that's what makes this bird legit. The big-budget productions come and go, but there's a reason we're still watching Babs Johnson lick furniture, hide steak up her legs, eat police officers, and kill people on live TV. This movie showcases the beauty of the cult film, and the cult audience. After all, what kind of lonely, miserable prick would enjoy watching this trash? Me.