Filmmaker John Waters has never been one to sugarcoat his message. And his recent public service announcement for San Francisco's Roxie Theater fundraising campaign is no exception.
"Hi, I'm John Waters and I'm here to urge you to support the Kickstarter campaign fundraiser for the Roxie Cinema," he said. "Why? Cause I get a kick out of the Roxie and if you don't, I oughta kick your ass."
Though the Roxie is a San Francisco institution and the nation's oldest theater (the second-oldest in the world), the historic movie house is reportedly struggling to stay open as it converts to nonprofit status.
"There is no other theater in the country that does what the Roxie does," said Telluride Film Festival founder Gary Meyer of the independent theater.
Waters seems to agree:
"Where else can you see programming like this?" he asked in the video. "Obscure midnight classics, dirty cult movies, insane underground movies, impenetrable foreign film – my favorite – and noise music festivals that any parent would hate--all inside a real movie theater! "
Waters was also candid about some of the theater's alleged lesser-known charms:
"On a slow night, you can masturbate in the theater. Or better yet, have sex with a fellow ticketholder!" he exclaimed. "And afterwards, you can have a drink at one of the many alarming bars in this neighborhood."
While that last bit may not be enough to incentivize the wider movie-loving public, the theater's notable history and commitment to independent film may be. The beloved theater is currently housing San Francisco's annual documentary film festival, DocFest, with a premiere and another festival following shortly after.
"The Roxie is what moviegoing is all about," Waters summarized. "If you don’t give them money, you're an asshole."
Watch Waters' video below and click here to donate to the Roxie.