I do not mean my namesake, who leads the Slovenian government which is cutting costs of welfare state, but the emerging documentary film “My name is Janez Janša.” In recent days few of Slovenian media published rumours that the movie is:

shocking and offensive to the extreme. It is no art, but merely pornography.

Weekly Reporter, close to the right wing government, published this rumour as the lead story on the cover of this week’s issue. Journalist Biserka Karneža Cerjak, who actually did not see the film, wrote the story based on the testimony of “eyewitness” who saw the unfinished film. Eyewitness was disturbed by the part of the movie, where performer Vaginal Davis is talking about the nicknames he uses as an artist – as a poet, writer, photographer…-among other he talks about the role of a men Drag Queer in the movie Hustler White (1996), directed by Bruce LaBruce and Rick Castro. This is followed by 48 frames, less than 2 seconds long scene of sexual intercourse between two men, accompanied by five other men.

The story began last week when Gregor Pajić, director of the Viba Film studios (financial supporter of the film) heard this rumour about controversy in the film. Based on what he heard, he asked Slovenian Film Centre (SFC), who is also financially supporting the film, for an explanation. He also informed Miro Petek, currently General Director of the Directorate for Media, about the matter. Petek is a member of leading government party Slovenian Democratic Party, led by my namesake Janez Janša. Jožko Rutar, Director of SFC has done a detailed analysis of the entire film, and found that the images are accordance with the course of the story and we could not talk about pornographic material, because viewer do not see the genitals of the performers, not even in a second of the film.

Despite all facts Mrs. Karneža Cerjak was not convinced, although she did not see the film yet. She is continuing her story, based on an eyewitness testimony. In a few days we will publish this “controversial” part of the film, and you will judge for yourself who is right.

PS: Despite all the complications we are trying to publish the film as soon as possible. In doing so, you can help too. Click:
www.verkami.com/projects/1752-janez-jansa/lang/en

Janez Janša