The late 60's early 70's were the golden age of amongst other things free love. Jim Haynes who is credited with the idea for this film is an American who had organised two festivals of erotic cinema in Amsterdam in 1971 and 72 called the "Wet Dream" festival . Having moved there from London where he had been involved in what was called "the underground". He is quoted as saying "we are not concerned with pornographic aspects primarily, but with the libertarian concept. It is an attack on paternalism because it asks why people can't see any image they want." The film was intended as an expression of that ideology and is probably of more interest to students of underground, experimental, avant garde, and independent cinema history than those seeking a "party movie". This was originally titled "Dreams of Thirteen" and was intended to have contributions from 13 film artists the linking theme being sex. Portmanteau features made up of thematically linked short films were quite fashionable in Europe at that time, titles like "Paris vu par" and "RoGoPag" which showcased the talents of the new wave spring to mind. However not all of the shorts intended for this were completed and from what I can gather a couple that were finished were not included in any released version, hence the re-title to "Wet Dreams" which relates it to the festivals that spawned it. This film is obscure and hard to find. I managed to catch it in an actual cinema in London's West End when it had a limited run in Britain. It was released as a sex film by a low rent exploitation distributor in the late Seventies not long before video brought an end to the strand of cinema beloved of the "raincoat brigade" and has not been distributed since. Copies on the collectors circuit in the UK come from the VHS release of that time. While being a mixed bag all of the segments are at worst interesting and none overstay their welcome. There is some nudity but no hardcore (at least in the version I saw) despite a contribution from porn legend Lasse Braun. I was mainly drawn to this title by the reputation of contributor Nick Ray, Director of "Rebel Without a Cause" and many other classics. His segment "The Janitor" is the last and most obscure offering, quite rewarding for a completist like myself but possibly a puzzler for others.
Review of Wet Dreams
