John Waters Reflects on 60 Years of Transgressive Cinema

Filmmaker John Waters, known as the "Pope of Trash," is reflecting on his 60-year career in cinema as his early films like "Hairspray" receive re-releases. Waters, who gained notoriety for his transgressive and often shocking subject matter, shared his thoughts on the evolution of his work and his personal life. He recalled the day his 1988 film "Hairspray" was awarded a PG certificate, a moment he described as "horrible" given his previous reputation for pushing boundaries.

Waters' early films, such as "Eat Your Makeup," "Multiple Maniacs," and "Pink Flamingos," were characterized by their unfilmable content and controversial scenes. "Eat Your Makeup" recreated the JFK assassination shortly after the event, featuring Divine in drag as Jackie Kennedy. "Multiple Maniacs" introduced a blasphemous sex act and a scene involving a giant lobster. Perhaps most infamously, "Pink Flamingos" included a scene where Divine consumed a fresh dog turd on camera. These works cemented Waters' status as a director unafraid to explore taboo subjects.

In contrast to his earlier work, Waters noted a shift in his career trajectory. He stated, "The minute I had success, I stopped taking drugs." This suggests a personal transformation coinciding with his rise in the film industry. The re-release of "Hairspray," a film that achieved mainstream success, marks a significant point in his career, moving from cult notoriety to wider recognition. Waters also touched upon contemporary issues, mentioning "that lunatic RFK" and lamenting the apparent decline of novelty dances in modern culture.