planetdan

Filmmakers charged with staging, selling 'Bumfights' videos on Internet
Associated Press
Published Sep 26, 2002

SAN DIEGO -- In one videotape, a homeless man is seen ripping out his front tooth with pliers. Another rams his head into a steel door, and others stomp and pummel each other until they are bloody.

Authorities say the makers of the tapes offered homeless men food, shelter, liquor and money to hurt each other, then sold thousands of the videos, titled ``Bumfights,'' over the Internet. Four men accused of making or selling the tapes have been charged, prosecutors said Wednesday.

One of the men broke his ankle during the fight and paramedics were called.

Hannah, dubbed ``Rufus the Stuntbum,'' said the filmmakers gave him $5 and $10 bills to perform. He and his friends still bear tattoos bought by the filmmakers that read ``Bum Life'' and ``Bumfights'' on their hands, bellies and foreheads.

``We never were forced into doing anything,'' Hannah told KFMB-TV in San Diego. ``We were enticed.'' [apparently with tattoos - dan]

``Bumfights'' has been denounced by homeless advocates, who organized a petition calling for an investigation into the filmmakers. On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this summer, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said the film ``sets a new standard for the cruel exploitation of damaged human beings.''

At least 300,000 copies of the videotapes were sold at $20 each, said Lt. Raul Garcia of the La Mesa Police Department.

Asked how he replied to homeless advocates who said the tape exploited the weakest and most vulnerable members of society, Ronis replied, ``I'm not a film critic. I'm just a criminal defense attorney.'' [that was my favorite part - dan]

::: posted by dan at 2:04 PM :: [ link ] :: (0) comments

Friday, September 20, 2002 :::

As my first official post, I would like to announce that I will be attending the Cher concert at the Excel center in St. Paul on October 4th. I don't really like Cher, and I definitely don't like her music (with the exception of 'Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves' or maybe even 'Halfbreed'), but it's free and I get to watch it from a posh suite with cocktails. And hell, Cyndi Lauper is opening for her and I used to like Cyndi Lauper, so all's well that ends well. Or begins well. Or whatever.

Thanks to Geckler for the tix.

::: posted by dan at 1:49 PM :: [ link ] :: (0) comments



Thursday, September 26, 2002 ::: Hooters tried to buy Vanguard airlines, which I'm sure will inspire a million and one slutty stewardess jokes on Leno tonight. You can read about it if you want ::: posted by dan at 2:16 PM :: [ link ] :: (0) comments Filmmakers charged with staging, selling 'Bumfights' videos on Internet Associated Press Published Sep 26, 2002 SAN DIEGO -- In one videotape, a homeless man is seen ripping out his front tooth with pliers. Another rams his head into a steel door, and others stomp and pummel each other until they are bloody. Authorities say the makers of the tapes offered homeless men food, shelter, liquor and money to hurt each other, then sold thousands of the videos, titled ``Bumfights,'' over the Internet. Four men accused of making or selling the tapes have been charged, prosecutors said Wednesday. One of the men broke his ankle during the fight and paramedics were called. Hannah, dubbed ``Rufus the Stuntbum,'' said the filmmakers gave him $5 and $10 bills to perform. He and his friends still bear tattoos bought by the filmmakers that read ``Bum Life'' and ``Bumfights'' on their hands, bellies and foreheads. ``We never were forced into doing anything,'' Hannah told KFMB-TV in San Diego. ``We were enticed.'' [apparently with tattoos - dan] ``Bumfights'' has been denounced by homeless advocates, who organized a petition calling for an investigation into the filmmakers. On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this summer, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said the film ``sets a new standard for the cruel exploitation of damaged human beings.'' At least 300,000 copies of the videotapes were sold at $20 each, said Lt. Raul Garcia of the La Mesa Police Department. Asked how he replied to homeless advocates who said the tape exploited the weakest and most vulnerable members of society, Ronis replied, ``I'm not a film critic. I'm just a criminal defense attorney.'' [that was my favorite part - dan] ::: posted by dan at 2:04 PM :: [ link ] :: (0) comments Wednesday, September 25, 2002 ::: The onion is funny: Ken, Barbie Reenact Parental Fight "Slam, slam, slam!" said Barbie, facing the wall. "I'm making dinner." ::: posted by dan at 2:49 PM :: [ link ] :: (0) comments This is a headline on CNN.com: Are miniskirts in or out? Larry King wants to know. Creepy, yo. And speaking of annoying talk show hosts, that Dr. Phil is a bozo. ::: posted by dan at 12:33 PM :: [ link ] :: (0) comments Friday, September 20, 2002 ::: As my first official post, I would like to announce that I will be attending the Cher concert at the Excel center in St. Paul on October 4th. I don't really like Cher, and I definitely don't like her music (with the exception of 'Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves' or maybe even 'Halfbreed'), but it's free and I get to watch it from a posh suite with cocktails. And hell, Cyndi Lauper is opening for her and I used to like Cyndi Lauper, so all's well that ends well. Or begins well. Or whatever. Thanks to Geckler for the tix. ::: posted by dan at 1:49 PM :: [ link ] :: (0) comments Thursday, September 19, 2002 ::: It's fun to post. How do you like me now? ::: posted by dan at 10:41 PM :: [ link ] :: (0) comments	reviews music movies books sections planetdan home planetdan blog dan's pics fun junk my atom/rss feed recently Vote Lombard! Final Destination: Death by Homeownership Happy Halloween! Animated Friday (Pets: A Two Parter Edition)! All Swine Flu-ed Out Animated Friday (Pets: A Two Parter Edition)! C.S.I. B.S.! Autographed! 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