australian television information archive

'Porn' gives charity no Satisfaction

TAXPAYER funding for a semi-pornographic drama about a Melbourne brothel has prompted anger among welfare groups.

New drama Satisfaction has received thousands of dollars in funding from State Government agency Film Victoria.

The series, dubbed raunchier than Channel 10's controversial Californication, is riddled with full-frontal sex scenes.

The opening of the first episode has a prostitute parading for a client before discarding her clothes. Another scene in the drama on Foxtel's Showcase channel from December 5 shows a client with two working girls.

A spokeswoman for Film Victoria yesterday confirmed the grant, but refused to disclose the figure.

"Film Victoria supported Satisfaction through its Production Investment Attraction Fund," she said.

"All production attraction grants are incentives and they are commercial in confidence agreements with the production."

Make-A-Wish foundation chief Sandra Brattstrom said the Government should direct money to charity groups instead of soft-core porn TV series.

"Our organisation receives no on-going government funding and relies on the generosity of the public," she said.

By Shannon Deery
November 25, 2007
Sunday Herald Sun