Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita
Encyclopedia
Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita is a gay pornographic
remake
of the Federico Fellini
classic La dolce vita
, directed by Michael Lucas and Tony Dimarco and released by Lucas Entertainment
in 2006.
In 2007 at the GayVN's in San Francisco, it won all 14 awards it was nominated for, including best picture, best director (Michael Lucas & Tony DiMarco), best threesome (Michael Lucas
, Derrick Hanson
, and Jason Ridge
), best actor (Michael Lucas) and best non-sexual performance (Savanna Samson
).
A new category was created in 2004 which many in the industry feel was created for its first winner. The award was dubbed the "fluffer" award and the recipient was none other than Andrew Vantassel for years of excellent work on such notable films as Beyond Vanilla, Bareback Mountain
.
The film stars Michael Lucas, Jason Ridge
, Chad Hunt
, Cole Ryan, Pete Ross, Derrick Hanson
, Ray Star, Brad Star, Jack Bond, Wilson Vasquez, Jonathan Vargas, Ben Andrews
, and more. It features non-sexual cameos by Savanna Samson
, Kevin Aviance
, Amanda Lepore
, Heather Fink and Johnny Hanson.
were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by International Media Films, Inc. in February 2007. The suit alleges willful trademark
and copyright infringement
against the La Dolce Vita mark. International Media Films owns the rights to Fellini's La Dolce Vita. The suit seeks unspecified damages
and to stop sales of Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita Parts 1 & 2. In May 2007, a Manhattan federal judge rejected the request to enjoin the sales of Lucas' film, primarily on the grounds of "inexcusable delay" on the plaintiff's part. The judge noted that there were serious issues raised regarding trademark infringement or tarnishment, but also wrote that it "seems extremely unlikely that a hapless purchaser seeking to buy Fellini’s film will inadvertently stumble across Michael Lucas’s La Dolce Vita”, which would be an important element in proving IMF's case.
Lucas won the lawsuit in April 2010 in a summary judgment
by Judge John George Koeltl, who dismissed IMF's claims of copyright infringement, since many porn films have parodied mainstream films.
Gay pornography
Gay pornography is the representation of sexual intercourse between men with the primary goal of sexual arousal in its audience. There is also a tradition, and continuing considerable output, of lesbian pornography....
remake
Remake
A remake is a piece of media based primarily on an earlier work of the same medium.-Film:The term "remake" is generally used in reference to a movie which uses an earlier movie as the main source material, rather than in reference to a second, later movie based on the same source...
of the Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , was an Italian film director and scriptwriter. Known for a distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images, he is considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century...
classic La dolce vita
La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita is a 1960 comedy-drama film written and directed by the critically acclaimed director Federico Fellini. The film is a story of a passive journalist's week in Rome, and his search for both happiness and love that will never come...
, directed by Michael Lucas and Tony Dimarco and released by Lucas Entertainment
Lucas Entertainment
Lucas Entertainment is a New York-based gay pornographic studio started by porn star Michael Lucas. It is one of the largest such studios in the world. The studio is known for lavish, big-budget movies, and it contends that its 2006 film Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita is the most expensive gay porn...
in 2006.
In 2007 at the GayVN's in San Francisco, it won all 14 awards it was nominated for, including best picture, best director (Michael Lucas & Tony DiMarco), best threesome (Michael Lucas
Michael Lucas
Michael Lucas is the name of:* Michael Lucas , performer in and director of gay pornographic films* Michael Lucas , artist, designer, and political activist...
, Derrick Hanson
Derrick Hanson
Derrick Hanson is an American gay pornographic actor who appears in gay pornographic films and magazines.-Videography:-Awards:* GayVN Awards Winner Best Threesome 2007.* GayVN Awards Nominated Best Oral Scene 2007....
, and Jason Ridge
Jason Ridge
Jason Ridge is a former American porn star who appeared in gay porn with about 50 films and in one bisexual porn video and gay skin magazines. He launched his own porn company in 2007 named RIDGELINE FILMS and made quite a success with 3 movies so far...
), best actor (Michael Lucas) and best non-sexual performance (Savanna Samson
Savanna Samson
Natalie Oliveros, better known by the stage name Savanna Samson, is an American pornographic actress. The winner of several AVN Awards, she has spent most of her career as a contract performer with major producer Vivid Entertainment, and is known for her roles in acclaimed adult films such as The...
).
A new category was created in 2004 which many in the industry feel was created for its first winner. The award was dubbed the "fluffer" award and the recipient was none other than Andrew Vantassel for years of excellent work on such notable films as Beyond Vanilla, Bareback Mountain
Gay pornography
Gay pornography is the representation of sexual intercourse between men with the primary goal of sexual arousal in its audience. There is also a tradition, and continuing considerable output, of lesbian pornography....
.
The film stars Michael Lucas, Jason Ridge
Jason Ridge
Jason Ridge is a former American porn star who appeared in gay porn with about 50 films and in one bisexual porn video and gay skin magazines. He launched his own porn company in 2007 named RIDGELINE FILMS and made quite a success with 3 movies so far...
, Chad Hunt
Chad Hunt
Chad Hunt is a former gay porn star who performs in pornographic movies. He has also appeared on the cover of Badpuppy, Jock, Honcho, All Man and Unzipped magazines....
, Cole Ryan, Pete Ross, Derrick Hanson
Derrick Hanson
Derrick Hanson is an American gay pornographic actor who appears in gay pornographic films and magazines.-Videography:-Awards:* GayVN Awards Winner Best Threesome 2007.* GayVN Awards Nominated Best Oral Scene 2007....
, Ray Star, Brad Star, Jack Bond, Wilson Vasquez, Jonathan Vargas, Ben Andrews
Ben Andrews (pornographic actor)
-Awards and nominations:* 2007 Grabby Awards nomination for Best Three-Way Sex Scene in "Encounters: Flash Point" with Chad Hunt and Sal.* 2007 European Gay Porn Awards nominee for Best Best Duo in "The Intern" with Christian Cruz....
, and more. It features non-sexual cameos by Savanna Samson
Savanna Samson
Natalie Oliveros, better known by the stage name Savanna Samson, is an American pornographic actress. The winner of several AVN Awards, she has spent most of her career as a contract performer with major producer Vivid Entertainment, and is known for her roles in acclaimed adult films such as The...
, Kevin Aviance
Kevin Aviance
Kevin Aviance is an American female impressionist, Club/Dance musician, and fashion designer and nightclub personality. He is a very popular personality in New York City's gay scene and has performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He is a member of the House of Aviance, a local gay...
, Amanda Lepore
Amanda Lepore
Amanda Lepore is an American model, nightclub hostess, fashion icon, performance artist, and transgender icon. She has appeared in advertising for numerous companies, including M.A.C. cosmetics, Mego Jeans, The Blonds, Swatch, CAMP Cosmetics, and Heatherette, which has used her likeness on...
, Heather Fink and Johnny Hanson.
Cast
- Ben AndrewsBen Andrews (pornographic actor)-Awards and nominations:* 2007 Grabby Awards nomination for Best Three-Way Sex Scene in "Encounters: Flash Point" with Chad Hunt and Sal.* 2007 European Gay Porn Awards nominee for Best Best Duo in "The Intern" with Christian Cruz....
- Rod BarryRod BarryRod Barry is the stage name of a pornographic actor from the United States who has been credited in more than 150 pornographic films and internet-based shows since entering the industry in 1996...
- Jack Bond
- Jamie Donovan
- Erik Grant
- Derrick HansonDerrick HansonDerrick Hanson is an American gay pornographic actor who appears in gay pornographic films and magazines.-Videography:-Awards:* GayVN Awards Winner Best Threesome 2007.* GayVN Awards Nominated Best Oral Scene 2007....
- Chad HuntChad HuntChad Hunt is a former gay porn star who performs in pornographic movies. He has also appeared on the cover of Badpuppy, Jock, Honcho, All Man and Unzipped magazines....
- Michael LucasMichael LucasMichael Lucas is the name of:* Michael Lucas , performer in and director of gay pornographic films* Michael Lucas , artist, designer, and political activist...
- Jack MacCarthy
- Spencer Quest
- Jason RidgeJason RidgeJason Ridge is a former American porn star who appeared in gay porn with about 50 films and in one bisexual porn video and gay skin magazines. He launched his own porn company in 2007 named RIDGELINE FILMS and made quite a success with 3 movies so far...
- Pete Ross
- Cole Ryan
- Brad Star
- Ray Star
- Jonathan Vargas
- Wilson Vasquez
- Andrew Vantassel
Cameos (non-sexual)
- Savanna SamsonSavanna SamsonNatalie Oliveros, better known by the stage name Savanna Samson, is an American pornographic actress. The winner of several AVN Awards, she has spent most of her career as a contract performer with major producer Vivid Entertainment, and is known for her roles in acclaimed adult films such as The...
- Gus Mattox
- Amanda LeporeAmanda LeporeAmanda Lepore is an American model, nightclub hostess, fashion icon, performance artist, and transgender icon. She has appeared in advertising for numerous companies, including M.A.C. cosmetics, Mego Jeans, The Blonds, Swatch, CAMP Cosmetics, and Heatherette, which has used her likeness on...
- Michael MustoMichael MustoMichael Musto is an American columnist for the The Village Voice, where he writes La Dolce Musto. Musto was born in Brooklyn to an Italian American family. He attended Columbia University graduating in 1976. During his studies, he was a theater critic for the Columbia Spectator...
- Kevin AvianceKevin AvianceKevin Aviance is an American female impressionist, Club/Dance musician, and fashion designer and nightclub personality. He is a very popular personality in New York City's gay scene and has performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He is a member of the House of Aviance, a local gay...
- Johnny Hanson
- Will ClarkWill Clark (porn star)Will Clark is an American performer in gay pornographic films. He is a member of the Grabby Awards Hall of Fame, and has received a special citation from the GayVN Awards for his fundraising work in support of HIV/AIDS charities.-Porn career:Clark's career as a gay adult film performer began in...
- Heather Fink
Awards
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Picture
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Actor
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Threesome
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Director
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Supporting Actor
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Non-Sex Performance
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Screenplay
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Editing
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Music
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Art Direction
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Videography
- 2007 GayVN Award Best DVD Extras/Special Edition
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Packaging
- 2007 GayVN Award Best Marketing Campaign
Issues of trademark and copyright infringement
Lucas Entertainment, Inc., its distribution wing and Michael LucasMichael Lucas
Michael Lucas is the name of:* Michael Lucas , performer in and director of gay pornographic films* Michael Lucas , artist, designer, and political activist...
were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by International Media Films, Inc. in February 2007. The suit alleges willful trademark
Trademark infringement
Trademark infringement is a violation of the exclusive rights attaching to a trademark without the authorization of the trademark owner or any licensees...
and copyright infringement
Copyright infringement
Copyright infringement is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works under copyright, infringing the copyright holder's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works.- "Piracy" :...
against the La Dolce Vita mark. International Media Films owns the rights to Fellini's La Dolce Vita. The suit seeks unspecified damages
Damages
In law, damages is an award, typically of money, to be paid to a person as compensation for loss or injury; grammatically, it is a singular noun, not plural.- Compensatory damages :...
and to stop sales of Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita Parts 1 & 2. In May 2007, a Manhattan federal judge rejected the request to enjoin the sales of Lucas' film, primarily on the grounds of "inexcusable delay" on the plaintiff's part. The judge noted that there were serious issues raised regarding trademark infringement or tarnishment, but also wrote that it "seems extremely unlikely that a hapless purchaser seeking to buy Fellini’s film will inadvertently stumble across Michael Lucas’s La Dolce Vita”, which would be an important element in proving IMF's case.
Lucas won the lawsuit in April 2010 in a summary judgment
Summary judgment
In law, a summary judgment is a determination made by a court without a full trial. Such a judgment may be issued as to the merits of an entire case, or of specific issues in that case....
by Judge John George Koeltl, who dismissed IMF's claims of copyright infringement, since many porn films have parodied mainstream films.