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Old Shame is In-Universe Only
* CreatorBacklash:
** According to Lewicki, Madonna saw the finished product when he invited her for a screening in 1984, leading her to swear at him and storm out. There's no indication that she ever changed her mind on the film, as she's never discussed it publicly since its release.
** In 2020, Chuck Varesko (the narrator, also known for voiceovers on works like ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'') [[https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hL7sxs6sgbcJ:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/anti-porn-movie-almost-ruined-madonna-story-behind-certain-sacrifice/&cd=33&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca told The Guardian U.K.]] that his Latino accent in the narration was "embarrassing", and that his contribution to the project was minimal.
** According to Lewicki, Madonna saw the finished product when he invited her for a screening in 1984, leading her to swear at him and storm out. There's no indication that she ever changed her mind on the film, as she's never discussed it publicly since its release.
** In 2020, Chuck Varesko (the narrator, also known for voiceovers on works like ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'') [[https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hL7sxs6sgbcJ:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/anti-porn-movie-almost-ruined-madonna-story-behind-certain-sacrifice/&cd=33&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca told The Guardian U.K.]] that his Latino accent in the narration was "embarrassing", and that his contribution to the project was minimal.
Deleted line(s) 24,26 (click to see context) :
* OldShame:
** According to Lewicki, Madonna saw the finished product when he invited her for a screening in 1984, leading her to swear at him and storm out. There's no indication that she ever changed her mind on the film, as she's never discussed it publicly since its release.
** In 2020, Chuck Varesko (the narrator, also known for voiceovers on works like ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'') [[https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hL7sxs6sgbcJ:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/anti-porn-movie-almost-ruined-madonna-story-behind-certain-sacrifice/&cd=33&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca told The Guardian U.K.]] that his Latino accent in the narration was "embarrassing", and that his contribution to the project was minimal.
** According to Lewicki, Madonna saw the finished product when he invited her for a screening in 1984, leading her to swear at him and storm out. There's no indication that she ever changed her mind on the film, as she's never discussed it publicly since its release.
** In 2020, Chuck Varesko (the narrator, also known for voiceovers on works like ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'') [[https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hL7sxs6sgbcJ:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/anti-porn-movie-almost-ruined-madonna-story-behind-certain-sacrifice/&cd=33&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca told The Guardian U.K.]] that his Latino accent in the narration was "embarrassing", and that his contribution to the project was minimal.
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None
Changed line(s) 15 (click to see context) from:
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: While the film itself has been released on multiple formats (including DVD, in 2005), the bonus materials that were released alongside the original VHS version, which included behind-the-scenes footage and outtakes, have never been officially released. Short of fan preservations, there's no way to officially watch this material.
to:
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: While the film itself has been released on multiple formats (including DVD, in 2005), the bonus materials that were released alongside the original VHS version, which included behind-the-scenes footage and outtakes, have never been officially released.reissued since the mid 80s. Short of fan preservations, there's no way to officially watch this material.
Changed line(s) 22 (click to see context) from:
* OldShame: According to Lewicki, Madonna saw the finished product when he invited her for a screening in 1984, leading her to swear at him and storm out. There's no indication that she ever changed her mind on the film, as she's never discussed it publicly since its release.
to:
** Chuck Varesko (who provided the narration for the film) claims the same of the voiceover recording process:
---> '''Varesko''': (speaking to ''The Guardian'') The ‘studio’ where I was recorded was [a mutual friend]’s attic. I sat on the floor holding the microphone, and we were done with the narration in under 15 minutes. That is the whole of my involvement with the film – I didn’t get craft services or a ticket to a premiere.
*OldShame: OldShame:
** According to Lewicki, Madonna saw the finished product when he invited her for a screening in 1984, leading her to swear at him and storm out. There's no indication that she ever changed her mind on the film, as she's never discussed it publicly since itsrelease.release.
** In 2020, Chuck Varesko (the narrator, also known for voiceovers on works like ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'') [[https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hL7sxs6sgbcJ:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/anti-porn-movie-almost-ruined-madonna-story-behind-certain-sacrifice/&cd=33&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca told The Guardian U.K.]] that his Latino accent in the narration was "embarrassing", and that his contribution to the project was minimal.
---> '''Varesko''': (speaking to ''The Guardian'') The ‘studio’ where I was recorded was [a mutual friend]’s attic. I sat on the floor holding the microphone, and we were done with the narration in under 15 minutes. That is the whole of my involvement with the film – I didn’t get craft services or a ticket to a premiere.
*
** According to Lewicki, Madonna saw the finished product when he invited her for a screening in 1984, leading her to swear at him and storm out. There's no indication that she ever changed her mind on the film, as she's never discussed it publicly since its
** In 2020, Chuck Varesko (the narrator, also known for voiceovers on works like ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'') [[https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hL7sxs6sgbcJ:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/anti-porn-movie-almost-ruined-madonna-story-behind-certain-sacrifice/&cd=33&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca told The Guardian U.K.]] that his Latino accent in the narration was "embarrassing", and that his contribution to the project was minimal.
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None
Added line(s) 6 (click to see context) :
* AmateurCast: The entirety of the cast were non-professional actors taking part in the project.
Changed line(s) 6 (click to see context) from:
** Many years later, the release of the three-page letter Madonna wrote to Lewicki lobbying for the role was released, causing a minor bump in interest (related to the fact that she's lied about her age to get the role).
to:
** Many years later, the release of the three-page letter Madonna wrote to Lewicki lobbying for the role was released, causing a minor bump in interest (related to the fact that she's she lied about her age to get the role).
Changed line(s) 11 (click to see context) from:
* LoopingLines: It's immediately apparent that a number of songs were redubbed in post-production, as the tempo doesn't match the film footage at all. Very apparent in the "sacrifice" scene, where there's no on-set audio dubbed in, and Dashiel's mouth is noticeably (and repeatedly) off-tempo with what's being sung.
to:
* InspirationForTheWork:
** The 1994 docudrama ''Madonna: Innocence Lost'', based on the 1991 biography ''Madonna Unauthorized'', uses passages from the letter Madonna sent Lewicki asking to participate in this film, verbatim.
** At least one reviewer has claimed that this film almost-certainly inspired a scene in ''Film/BoogieNights'' where Eddie Adams argues with his mother, in nearly the exact same way David argues with his father in this film.
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: While the film itself has been released on multiple formats (including DVD, in 2005), the bonus materials that were released alongside the original VHS version, which included behind-the-scenes footage and outtakes, have never been officially released. Short of fan preservations, there's no way to officially watch this material.
* LoopingLines: It's immediately apparent that a number of songs were redubbed in post-production, as the tempo doesn't match the film footage at all. Very apparent in the "sacrifice" scene, wherethere's no on-set audio dubbed in, the looped-in music track doesn't match up with the dialogue at all, and Dashiel's mouth is noticeably (and repeatedly) off-tempo with what's being sung.
** The 1994 docudrama ''Madonna: Innocence Lost'', based on the 1991 biography ''Madonna Unauthorized'', uses passages from the letter Madonna sent Lewicki asking to participate in this film, verbatim.
** At least one reviewer has claimed that this film almost-certainly inspired a scene in ''Film/BoogieNights'' where Eddie Adams argues with his mother, in nearly the exact same way David argues with his father in this film.
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: While the film itself has been released on multiple formats (including DVD, in 2005), the bonus materials that were released alongside the original VHS version, which included behind-the-scenes footage and outtakes, have never been officially released. Short of fan preservations, there's no way to officially watch this material.
* LoopingLines: It's immediately apparent that a number of songs were redubbed in post-production, as the tempo doesn't match the film footage at all. Very apparent in the "sacrifice" scene, where
Changed line(s) 13 (click to see context) from:
* MoneyDearBoy: Though not for the star, but the director -- Stephen Lewicki claims the film made him a millionaire, as it received an international release and reportedly sold more than 50,000 units in its first week alone. Given the fact that it was expressly timed to coincide with the original burst of fame for Madonna's career, its release was intentional.
to:
* MoneyDearBoy: Though not for the star, but the director -- Stephen Lewicki claims the film made him a millionaire, as it received an international release and reportedly sold more than 50,000 units in its first week alone. Given the fact that it was expressly timed to coincide with the original burst of fame for Madonna's career, career (and sold for $59.99 a copy, not counting the "Collector's" bonus VHS), its release was intentional.
Changed line(s) 19,20 (click to see context) from:
* ScheduleSlip: The credits for the film state that it was completed in 1984, but the film wasn't actually released until 1985 (possibly to ride off Madonna's early fame).
* TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment: The film completed shooting by 1981 (having been filmed off-and-on for nearly two years), but sat unreleased until 1985, when it was completed and distributed to cash in on Madonna's early fame.
* TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment: The film completed shooting by 1981 (having been filmed off-and-on for nearly two years), but sat unreleased until 1985, when it was completed and distributed to cash in on Madonna's early fame.
to:
* ScheduleSlip: The credits for the film state that it was completed in 1984, but the film it wasn't actually released until 1985 (possibly late 1985, due to ride off Madonna's early fame).
a court case that was eventually thrown out regarding the film's distribution.
* TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment: The filmcompleted finished shooting by 1981 (having been filmed off-and-on for nearly two years), but years -- and with claims that the production ran out of money). It sat unreleased until 1985, when October 1985 (though the credits state it was completed and finished in 1984) due to an ongoing court case with Madonna's lawyers, before being distributed to cash in on Madonna's early fame.
* TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment: The film
Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
* StreisandEffect: Madonna's efforts to try and block the film's ammunition ended up giving the director all the ammunition he needed to promote it, as the VHS release and poster shamelessly market it as "the film Madonna doesn't want you to see." (Conversely, she didn't appear to have the same kind of reaction regarding the racy [and nude] glamour photos taken of her when she first arrived in New York, suggesting she was more accepting of those works.)
to:
* StreisandEffect: Madonna's efforts to try and block the film's ammunition release ended up giving the director all the ammunition he needed to promote it, as the VHS release and poster shamelessly market it as "the film Madonna doesn't want you to see." (Conversely, she didn't appear to have the same kind of reaction regarding the racy [and nude] glamour photos taken of her when she first arrived in New York, suggesting she was more accepting of those works.)
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Added DiffLines:
* BillingDisplacement: The poster and DVD put Madonna's image front-and-center. The actual film revolves around the character David[=/=]Dashiel (Pattnosh), who is the point-of-view character and the one who thinks up the plan for the "sacrifice" in the third act.
* BuryYourArt: Music/{{Madonna}} attempted, unsuccessfully, to have the film withdrawn and banned from circulation via a lawsuit in 1985.
* TheCastShowoff: Pattnosh is credited as the lead actor, editor and composer, and is heard singing several songs in the film, including "Screamin' Demon Lover".
* ColbertBump:
** The circumstances of the film's release, and an attempt to have it banned by Music/{{Madonna}} herself, led the film to garner a CultClassic reputation within her fanbase in the years afterwards.
** Many years later, the release of the three-page letter Madonna wrote to Lewicki lobbying for the role was released, causing a minor bump in interest (related to the fact that she's lied about her age to get the role).
** WebVideo/ToddInTheShadows' review of this film (as part of the "Cinemadonna" series) led to increased interest from his fanbase.
* CreatorKiller: For Stephen Jon Lewicki (and despite its cult success), this remains his only theatrically-released film. Outside of a couple interviews (one for the 2001 docu-series ''Driven''[[note]]No relation to the 2001 Creator/SylvesterStallone film [[Film/{{Driven}} of the same name]][[/note]] and for the 2019 docudrama ''Madonna and the Breakfast Club''), he's never taken part in another film production.
* DeletedScene: Several "outtakes" of the limousine scene and an alternate scene of Bruna talking in her apartment (the same scene as the "I'm a dodo girl" shot in the opening sequence) were released as part of a "Collector's Video" alongside the film in 1985.
* DoingItForTheArt: According to interviews with the director, Madonna answered an ad looking for a headstrong actress to star in his film for no pay, ingratiating herself with him by sending a candid photograph of herself posing alongside a three-page letter explaining why she wanted the role. Madonna would later negotiate a $100 fee for her appearance, due to needing money to cover her rent.
* LoopingLines: It's immediately apparent that a number of songs were redubbed in post-production, as the tempo doesn't match the film footage at all. Very apparent in the "sacrifice" scene, where there's no on-set audio dubbed in, and Dashiel's mouth is noticeably (and repeatedly) off-tempo with what's being sung.
* TheMerch: [[https://madonnaunderground.com/filmography/a-certain-sacrifice/ As noted on fansites]], the film's release was accompanied by a "Collector's Video" featuring outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage from the film, posters and t-shirts to capitalize on the tie-in to Madonna's career.
* MoneyDearBoy: Though not for the star, but the director -- Stephen Lewicki claims the film made him a millionaire, as it received an international release and reportedly sold more than 50,000 units in its first week alone. Given the fact that it was expressly timed to coincide with the original burst of fame for Madonna's career, its release was intentional.
* NoBudget:
** The film was shot, guerilla-style, over two years in New York City for a scant $20,000 budget. Of that, Madonna was reportedly only paid $100 for her participation, allegedly because she was short on her monthly rent and demanded compensation from the director.
** Watching the film, it becomes obvious that the only reason it was finished at all is due to modern (for 1984, anyway) music tracks and songs overlaid on the existing audio. The on-set audio is so bad at numerous points that it's nigh-impossible to hear what the characters are saying -- which is likely why the film was left unfinished for several years.
* OldShame: According to Lewicki, Madonna saw the finished product when he invited her for a screening in 1984, leading her to swear at him and storm out. There's no indication that she ever changed her mind on the film, as she's never discussed it publicly since its release.
* SavedFromDevelopmentHell: Given the state of the final product, it's likely the film never would have been released had Madonna not skyrocketed to superstardom, thus providing the impetus for Lewicki to finish the project (allegedly spending $15,000 on post-production and editing, according to some vintage media reports) and get it out to market.
* ScheduleSlip: The credits for the film state that it was completed in 1984, but the film wasn't actually released until 1985 (possibly to ride off Madonna's early fame).
* TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment: The film completed shooting by 1981 (having been filmed off-and-on for nearly two years), but sat unreleased until 1985, when it was completed and distributed to cash in on Madonna's early fame.
* SleeperHit: Shot for NoBudget, the film capitalized on a wave of interest for Madonna (as it released during her initial fame in the mid-80s). It sold over 50,000 copies in its first week, received international distribution, and reportedly made director Stephen Jon Lewicki a millionaire.
* StarDerailingRole: Though the film was a low-budget affair that was shot on the cheap in 1979[=/=]80 (and not released until 1985), it did no favors for lead actor Jeremy Pattnosh in the movie industry. To note, his only other role in any film production was in 1999, as a script supervisor for the short film ''24-Seven''.
* StreisandEffect: Madonna's efforts to try and block the film's ammunition ended up giving the director all the ammunition he needed to promote it, as the VHS release and poster shamelessly market it as "the film Madonna doesn't want you to see." (Conversely, she didn't appear to have the same kind of reaction regarding the racy [and nude] glamour photos taken of her when she first arrived in New York, suggesting she was more accepting of those works.)
* ThrowItIn:
** Several of the musical numbers (written and composed by Pattnosh) were thrown in simply to pad out the runtime, as they have little-to-no relevance with the rest of the film. In particular, the song "Screamin' Demon Lover" is filmed underneath a bridge, has the character Dashiel dramatically dancing around with a knife while Bruna reels in terror, and has no relevance to what happens before or after it.
** Bruna and the rest of the "love slaves" happily singing in the limousine as they go to find and kidnap Hall has no importance to the scene, and (as before) seems to have been thrown in because it includes some of the earliest-known footage of Madonna singing. (Despite rumors to the contrary, she didn't contribute any songs to the soundtrack -- though a sound-alike does perform two songs in the film, including the end theme).
----
* BuryYourArt: Music/{{Madonna}} attempted, unsuccessfully, to have the film withdrawn and banned from circulation via a lawsuit in 1985.
* TheCastShowoff: Pattnosh is credited as the lead actor, editor and composer, and is heard singing several songs in the film, including "Screamin' Demon Lover".
* ColbertBump:
** The circumstances of the film's release, and an attempt to have it banned by Music/{{Madonna}} herself, led the film to garner a CultClassic reputation within her fanbase in the years afterwards.
** Many years later, the release of the three-page letter Madonna wrote to Lewicki lobbying for the role was released, causing a minor bump in interest (related to the fact that she's lied about her age to get the role).
** WebVideo/ToddInTheShadows' review of this film (as part of the "Cinemadonna" series) led to increased interest from his fanbase.
* CreatorKiller: For Stephen Jon Lewicki (and despite its cult success), this remains his only theatrically-released film. Outside of a couple interviews (one for the 2001 docu-series ''Driven''[[note]]No relation to the 2001 Creator/SylvesterStallone film [[Film/{{Driven}} of the same name]][[/note]] and for the 2019 docudrama ''Madonna and the Breakfast Club''), he's never taken part in another film production.
* DeletedScene: Several "outtakes" of the limousine scene and an alternate scene of Bruna talking in her apartment (the same scene as the "I'm a dodo girl" shot in the opening sequence) were released as part of a "Collector's Video" alongside the film in 1985.
* DoingItForTheArt: According to interviews with the director, Madonna answered an ad looking for a headstrong actress to star in his film for no pay, ingratiating herself with him by sending a candid photograph of herself posing alongside a three-page letter explaining why she wanted the role. Madonna would later negotiate a $100 fee for her appearance, due to needing money to cover her rent.
* LoopingLines: It's immediately apparent that a number of songs were redubbed in post-production, as the tempo doesn't match the film footage at all. Very apparent in the "sacrifice" scene, where there's no on-set audio dubbed in, and Dashiel's mouth is noticeably (and repeatedly) off-tempo with what's being sung.
* TheMerch: [[https://madonnaunderground.com/filmography/a-certain-sacrifice/ As noted on fansites]], the film's release was accompanied by a "Collector's Video" featuring outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage from the film, posters and t-shirts to capitalize on the tie-in to Madonna's career.
* MoneyDearBoy: Though not for the star, but the director -- Stephen Lewicki claims the film made him a millionaire, as it received an international release and reportedly sold more than 50,000 units in its first week alone. Given the fact that it was expressly timed to coincide with the original burst of fame for Madonna's career, its release was intentional.
* NoBudget:
** The film was shot, guerilla-style, over two years in New York City for a scant $20,000 budget. Of that, Madonna was reportedly only paid $100 for her participation, allegedly because she was short on her monthly rent and demanded compensation from the director.
** Watching the film, it becomes obvious that the only reason it was finished at all is due to modern (for 1984, anyway) music tracks and songs overlaid on the existing audio. The on-set audio is so bad at numerous points that it's nigh-impossible to hear what the characters are saying -- which is likely why the film was left unfinished for several years.
* OldShame: According to Lewicki, Madonna saw the finished product when he invited her for a screening in 1984, leading her to swear at him and storm out. There's no indication that she ever changed her mind on the film, as she's never discussed it publicly since its release.
* SavedFromDevelopmentHell: Given the state of the final product, it's likely the film never would have been released had Madonna not skyrocketed to superstardom, thus providing the impetus for Lewicki to finish the project (allegedly spending $15,000 on post-production and editing, according to some vintage media reports) and get it out to market.
* ScheduleSlip: The credits for the film state that it was completed in 1984, but the film wasn't actually released until 1985 (possibly to ride off Madonna's early fame).
* TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment: The film completed shooting by 1981 (having been filmed off-and-on for nearly two years), but sat unreleased until 1985, when it was completed and distributed to cash in on Madonna's early fame.
* SleeperHit: Shot for NoBudget, the film capitalized on a wave of interest for Madonna (as it released during her initial fame in the mid-80s). It sold over 50,000 copies in its first week, received international distribution, and reportedly made director Stephen Jon Lewicki a millionaire.
* StarDerailingRole: Though the film was a low-budget affair that was shot on the cheap in 1979[=/=]80 (and not released until 1985), it did no favors for lead actor Jeremy Pattnosh in the movie industry. To note, his only other role in any film production was in 1999, as a script supervisor for the short film ''24-Seven''.
* StreisandEffect: Madonna's efforts to try and block the film's ammunition ended up giving the director all the ammunition he needed to promote it, as the VHS release and poster shamelessly market it as "the film Madonna doesn't want you to see." (Conversely, she didn't appear to have the same kind of reaction regarding the racy [and nude] glamour photos taken of her when she first arrived in New York, suggesting she was more accepting of those works.)
* ThrowItIn:
** Several of the musical numbers (written and composed by Pattnosh) were thrown in simply to pad out the runtime, as they have little-to-no relevance with the rest of the film. In particular, the song "Screamin' Demon Lover" is filmed underneath a bridge, has the character Dashiel dramatically dancing around with a knife while Bruna reels in terror, and has no relevance to what happens before or after it.
** Bruna and the rest of the "love slaves" happily singing in the limousine as they go to find and kidnap Hall has no importance to the scene, and (as before) seems to have been thrown in because it includes some of the earliest-known footage of Madonna singing. (Despite rumors to the contrary, she didn't contribute any songs to the soundtrack -- though a sound-alike does perform two songs in the film, including the end theme).
----
