Cleanflix (2009)

Before VidAngel there was Cleanflicks, a video rental chain that edited PG-13 and R rated films to remove morally objectionable content for more conservative or family oriented viewers. Like VidAngel, Cleanflicks business model was upended by court rulings regarding copyright infringement. The documentary Cleanflix (available in both edited and non edited versions) charts the rise and fall of the Utah based chain, and some of its imitators, between roughly 2000 and 2008. As with many documentaries this film started out about one thing (movie editing rental services) but by the end events picked up by the filmmakers, largely by chance, made it about another. This is still a good overview of the film editing service, but things that happen in the personal life of a prominent Utah distributor, take  center stage in the films final act. 

As far as the controversy over the service Cleanflicks provided goes, I agree with some in the film that if the studios are already making edited versions of their films for television and airline distribution, why not offer those to willing buyers, there is certainly a market. Now if individual film makers, especially those whose products are more artistic expression then commercial venture don't want to participate that's fine, but supposedly 'big tent' Hollywood fair why wouldn't you?  I suspect that in the end Hollywood will come around, because money.  ***

Also seeing all the brick and mortar video stores in this film was  nostalgic.