Pleasure Faire

About This Movie

Pleasure Faire is a fascinating glimpse into the early days of the Southern California Renaissance Fair. It has this raw, almost tactile quality, thanks to Les Blank’s cinematography. The 16mm Bell & Howell captures the vibrancy and eccentricity of the participants in a way that feels very intimate and personal. The pacing is relaxed, allowing you to really soak in the atmosphere, which is immersive and colorful. Blank was already honing his style here, evident in how he frames the interactions and festivities. It’s not just a documentary—it's a slice of counterculture from the 60s, exploring themes of performance and authenticity before they became buzzwords in film studies.

Pleasure Faire has become a bit of a curiosity among collectors, especially those interested in early documentary filmmaking and the cultural shifts of the 1960s. Its format history is somewhat limited, with few known transfers available, making original prints quite scarce. Interest tends to spike around discussions of Les Blank's evolution as a filmmaker, so it often comes up in niche collector circles focusing on his body of work.