NakedSword Originals Releases "Eat the Rich" Directed by Ben Rush

NakedSword Originals has released "Eat the Rich," a new feature film directed by Ben Rush, Co-Chief Content Officer & Chief Creative Marketing Officer at Falcon | NakedSword. The film, which debuted on September 1, is described as a political satire that uses sex as a storytelling element and aims to support LGBTQ+ causes.

"Eat the Rich" Explores Power, Class, and Hypocrisy

The film "Eat the Rich" is a political satire that explores themes of sex, power, class, masculinity, and hypocrisy. Ben Rush stated that the film is an expression of his view of the world and his frustration with it. He noted that the project is a culmination of his career explorations in adult entertainment, focusing on how individuals "fake" respectability while engaging in questionable behavior privately.

Rush described the film as a "wildly entertaining middle finger to hypocrisy at the highest level" and an "erotic antidote to a suffocating political landscape." He indicated that the film's premise was influenced by his growing frustration with the state of the world, particularly the narrative that wealth signifies virtue and poverty is a personal failing. He also cited the politicization of LGBTQ+ lives and rights as a motivating factor, stating that the film's anger stems from the disparity between public narratives and observable reality.

The central idea for "Eat the Rich" developed over the last two years, focusing on themes of wealth, political corruption, and individuals whose desires overshadow their recognition of others' humanity. Rush observed that as he continued to develop the idea, real-world events added layers to the narrative, making it feel urgent. He noted that the story evolved as the political environment changed and his ambition for what an adult feature could encompass grew. Falcon | NakedSword President and CEO Tim Valenti contributed the idea of a "Robin Hood vein" to the project, which merged with Rush's existing concept.

Rush aimed to balance politics and sex within the film, ensuring that neither element overshadowed the other. He sought to have each aspect expose something about power, appetite, and control. He also mentioned that the film is less about "sex that includes dialogue" and more of a cinematic experience where sex is integral to the storytelling.

Cast and Production Details

"Eat the Rich" features an ensemble cast, including Jayden Marcos, Paul Wagner, Ryan Orion, River North, Derek Kage, Johnny Donovan, Miles Fallon, and Luca Zae. Jayden Marcos plays a down-on-his-luck escort who devises a system to siphon money from powerful clients who publicly oppose LGBTQ+ rights but engage in private encounters. This money is then directed to LGBTQ+ charities.

Rush previously worked with Jayden Marcos on "Wild Game," which received the Best Feature award at the GayVN Awards. Derek Kage and Paul Wagner, who also appeared in "Wild Game," return for "Eat the Rich." Industry veteran Johnny Donovan, known for his work in "The Way to a Man’s Heart" with Rush, is also part of the core cast. River North, a Falcon | NakedSword Headliner, and Falcon | NakedSword Exclusive Ryan Orion are also featured, along with Miles Fallon and newcomer Luca Zae.

Rush described the casting process as assembling a combination of trusted performers, individuals he had wanted to work with, and new discoveries who brought the necessary energy to the film. He emphasized the importance of creating a cohesive "social landscape" where each performer has a distinct presence but also fits within the film's heightened world. He noted that the cast committed to their characters, dialogue, and sex scenes with seriousness, understanding the stylized and provocative nature of the project.

One scene in the film features Derek Kage as a closeted priest who hires escort Luca. Rush stated that this scene was designed around ritual, guilt, and the sexual charge of the forbidden, utilizing religious iconography to evoke longing, shame, punishment, surrender, and ecstasy. He aimed for a visually devotional feel while the actions within the frame contradicted the idea of devotion. The scene also incorporates props, such as a rosary, to symbolize the repurposing of objects associated with authority or virtue.

Social Impact and Collaborations

Falcon | NakedSword is collaborating with New York-based fashion brand Skull & Bones for "Eat the Rich." This partnership, which began last year with "The Whole Package," involves original underwear styles designed by Falcon | NakedSword Art Director Frank Fanucchi. These limited-edition styles and color waves will have a portion of their proceeds benefiting The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth.

Rush stated that "Eat the Rich" demonstrates that adult cinema can entertain, arouse, provoke, and make an argument simultaneously, challenging the notion that explicitness disqualifies a work from cultural or artistic relevance. He believes that projects with a purpose empower the LGBTQ+ community by allowing them to tell their own stories without seeking permission from those who misrepresent them. He emphasized the importance of preserving the complexity of queer individuals, showcasing them as heroic, ridiculous, furious, erotic, selfish, loving, contradictory, and politically divided, without needing to present them as flawless to prove their dignity.

Rush views the film as a way for the community to "turn the gaze around" and transform hypocrisy into action. He stated that instead of queer sexuality being judged, the film examines the systems and people who claim the authority to judge. He believes that drama, desire, and humor can be used as weapons to move beyond defense and create images and fantasies that allow the community to understand themselves.

Key Facts

• "Eat the Rich" is a NakedSword Originals feature film.
• The film was directed by Ben Rush, Co-Chief Content Officer & Chief Creative Marketing Officer at Falcon | NakedSword.
• It debuted on September 1.
• The cast includes Jayden Marcos, Paul Wagner, Ryan Orion, River North, Derek Kage, Johnny Donovan, Miles Fallon, and Luca Zae.
• A portion of proceeds from associated Skull & Bones underwear sales will benefit The Trevor Project.
• The film is described as a political satire exploring themes of sex, power, class, masculinity, and hypocrisy.