Directed by Documentary Veterans Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman

Released in 1972, the pornographic film Deep Throat became a cultural phenomenon in America. The biggest hit in American pornographic film history sparked an unprecedented boom, playing not only in adult theaters but also in mainstream cinemas.


Linda Lovelace, who starred in the film, also garnered significant attention as a "symbol of the sexual revolution" in the liberated America of the 1970s. Now, this powerful film, which explores her life's highs and lows, is being released in Japan.


Seyfried, fresh off her memorable roles as Cosette in Les Misérables and Sophie in Mamma Mia!, portrays Lovelace. The actress, at the peak of her career as a symbol of purity, delivers a fearless performance as America's sex symbol.

Peter Sarsgaard delivers a commanding performance as Lovelace's abusive husband. The film also boasts a star-studded cast including Sharon Stone, James Franco, and Chloë Sevigny. The directing duo, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, are acclaimed for their documentary work, including an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. With a journalist's eye, they delve into Lovelace's sensational life, revealing her true story.

Linda Forced into Porn to Repay Her Husband's Debts

Linda, weary of life with her devout Catholic parents, meets Chuck, a bar owner in her hometown. Drawn to his kind words, she quickly marries him. However, just six months later, Chuck hatches a plan to have his wife, Linda, star in a pornographic film to pay off his debts.


Filmed in just seven days, Deep Throat became a record-breaking hit. Linda Lovelace, now known by her pornographic stage name, became an instant superstar, earning praise from figures like Hugh Hefner, editor-in-chief of Playboy. She was elevated to the status of a "symbol of the sexual revolution" in the liberated 1970s.

But six years after Deep Throat's release, Lovelace decides to write an autobiography to reveal "shocking truths." Why did she become a porn star? What "really happened" behind the scenes of the film's production?


Linda's extraordinary life story transcends time, continuing to resonate with us today.

Amanda Seyfried: Pouring "Boldness" and "Bravery" into Her Performance

──You were born in 1985. Before this project, were you familiar with Linda Lovelace or the film Deep Throat?


No, I didn't know anything about the film or Linda herself until I watched Inside Deep Throat for this movie. So, I asked my parents about the public reaction back then (laughs). Directors Rob and Jeffrey showed me a vast amount of material they had gathered—photos, footage, books—and I also watched almost all of her films to prepare for the role.

──What drew you to this role?


I love challenging roles. When playing a real person, I feel a sense of responsibility, which is also frightening. It's a big challenge, but also very exciting. Also, because Linda was a star in the porn industry, there's a lot of material available, so I felt the character development wouldn't be too difficult. My co-stars were all very kind, and Sharon Stone was incredibly supportive from the beginning of the shoot.

──What kind of inspiration did you draw from Linda herself in preparing for the role?


I was truly inspired by her resilience. Despite experiencing a deeply tragic life, she managed to break free and eventually have her own family. What she went through was incredibly difficult, yet she wasn't afraid to talk about it or share it with other women.


Even after being coerced and exploited in the porn industry... she was able to understand other women and find her place in the world. That's not something everyone can do. Also, during her adolescence, she was very pure but not well-cared for by her parents, which I believe influenced her personality.

──What is your impression of Linda Lovelace?


I think Linda was incredibly forgiving, understanding of others' opinions, and in a way, incredibly stoic. Even when things were thrown at her, when she was betrayed, insulted, or scrutinized for every move, which must have been infuriating, she treated those people with kindness and affection. What's even more surprising is that she simply wanted friends, children, and a happy marriage. That's all she desired.

──How was Peter Sarsgaard, who played your abusive husband Chuck?


What's amazing about Peter is his ability to instantly transform from a charismatic man into a brutally violent one. Chuck was a character with a split personality that ordinary people couldn't comprehend. Peter perfectly embodied such a difficult role.

──This film has feminist undertones. What are your thoughts on that aspect?


I believe it was a very important element in her actual life. We filmed many more scenes like that, but quite a bit was cut. For example, the latter part of Linda and Chuck's relationship was shortened to avoid making the film too long.


Her life had many facets, and it's impossible to tell them all. However, depicting her gradual transformation into a feminist in the latter half of the film felt crucial. I think that kind of ending was necessary to suggest that there were other dimensions to her life.


──Finally, could you tell us what makes this film worth watching?


This film portrays Linda's life journey and the incredible relationship between Linda and Chuck. It delves into each character and conveys Linda's story in the best possible way. I hope audiences will witness her survival and courage.

Lovelace

Now playing nationwide at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho and other theaters.

Directed by Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman

Starring Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone, James Franco, Chloë Sevigny

Distributed by Nikkatsu

2012 / USA / 93 min / R18+

©2012 LOVELACE PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED