Preaching to the Perverted (1997) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A legal campaign against Tanya's club becomes entangled with Peter's growing involvement and an unresolved conflict over morality, trust, and ambition.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Campaign Against the Club

Tanya's underground performances attract Henry Harding's attention, and Esmeralda encourages his opposition. Troubled by press reports, Harding commits to using the law and brings Peter into the effort.

Key Events

• Tanya Leads the Club Scene — Tanya's performances and gatherings establish her as a prominent figure in the underground club scene. Characters: Tanya Cheex Location: Underground fetish-club scene
• Harding Takes Notice — Tanya's performances and gatherings draw the attention of conservative politician Henry Harding. Characters: Henry Harding MP, Tanya Cheex Location: Not specified
• Esmeralda Urges Harding On — Esmeralda encourages Harding as he considers a campaign against the club. Characters: Esmeralda, Henry Harding MP Location: Not specified
• Harding Vows Legal Action — Troubled by press reports, Harding vows to use the law against the behavior he condemns. Characters: Henry Harding MP Location: Not specified
• Peter Joins the Effort — Harding brings his son Peter into the campaign against the club. Characters: Henry Harding MP, Peter Emery Location: Not specified

Peter Enters Tanya's World

Peter traces the clubs online and reaches House of Thwax, where Tanya lets him visit after he solves a challenge. When he breaks her rules, she throws him out, but he persists under the name Mr. Happy and becomes involved in the scene.

Key Events

• Peter Joins the Effort — Harding brings his son Peter into the campaign against the club. Characters: Henry Harding MP, Peter Emery Location: Not specified
• Online Investigation Begins — Peter investigates the clubs and traces their activities online. Characters: Peter Emery Location: Online
• Peter Reaches House of Thwax — Peter's investigation takes him to Tanya's club, where he tries to gain access. Characters: Peter Emery, Tanya Cheex Location: House of Thwax
• Peter Solves the Challenge — Peter solves a challenge, and Tanya allows him to visit. Characters: Peter Emery, Tanya Cheex Location: House of Thwax
• Peter Breaks Tanya's Rules — Peter violates Tanya's rules and attempts to penetrate her. Characters: Peter Emery, Tanya Cheex Location: House of Thwax
• Tanya Throws Peter Out — Tanya expels Peter after he breaks her rules. Characters: Peter Emery, Tanya Cheex Location: House of Thwax
• Peter Returns as Mr. Happy — Peter persists and enters the scene under the name Mr. Happy. Characters: Peter Emery Location: The club scene
• Peter Becomes Involved — As Peter spends more time in the scene, his certainty about those he investigates begins to falter. Characters: Peter Emery Location: The club scene

Evidence and Public Prosecution

Harding seeks identifiable evidence and witnesses for a private prosecution, and Peter agrees to testify. Their campaign develops into a public courtroom battle over the club's activities.

Key Events

• Peter Becomes Involved — As Peter spends more time in the scene, his certainty about those he investigates begins to falter. Characters: Peter Emery Location: The club scene
• Harding Seeks Evidence — Harding seeks identifiable evidence and witnesses for a private prosecution. Characters: Henry Harding MP Location: Not specified
• Peter Agrees to Testify — Peter agrees to testify, and he and Harding assemble evidence for charges. Characters: Peter Emery, Henry Harding MP Location: Not specified
• The Courtroom Battle Begins — The campaign becomes a public courtroom battle over the club's activities. Characters: Henry Harding MP, Tanya Cheex Location: Courtroom
• Prosecution Alleges Harm — The prosecution argues that the club's activities amount to bodily harm and gross indecency. Characters: Henry Harding MP, Tanya Cheex Location: Courtroom

Scrutiny and Uncertain Allegiances

Tanya's side challenges Harding's moral authority, while reporters question him about allegations from his past that he denies. Before the case reaches a clear resolution, Tanya confronts Peter about his motives and their relationship remains uncertain.

Key Events

• Prosecution Alleges Harm — The prosecution argues that the club's activities amount to bodily harm and gross indecency. Characters: Henry Harding MP, Tanya Cheex Location: Courtroom
• Tanya's Side Challenges Harding — Tanya's side challenges Harding's claim to moral authority. Characters: Henry Harding MP, Tanya Cheex Location: Courtroom
• Reporters Raise Past Allegations — Reporters ask Harding about allegations concerning physical punishment when he was a headmaster; he denies them. Characters: Henry Harding MP Location: Courtroom
• The Judge Warns Tanya — The judge warns Tanya against disrupting the court as proceedings continue. Characters: Tanya Cheex Location: Courtroom
• Tanya Questions Peter's Motives — Tanya asks Peter whether he acts from faith or ambition; he insists the practices are too disturbing to allow. Characters: Peter Emery, Tanya Cheex Location: Not specified

Story Breakdown

• Tanya's Club World — Tanya's underground performances and gatherings attract the attention of a conservative politician.
  • Underground Gatherings — Tanya is introduced as an outspoken figure in the fetish-club scene.
  • Harding Takes Notice — Her performances draw Henry Harding's attention.
• Harding's Campaign — Encouraged by Esmeralda and troubled by press reports, Harding seeks legal action against the club.
  • Esmeralda's Encouragement — Esmeralda urges Harding on in his campaign.
  • A Legal Challenge — Harding vows to use the law against behavior he considers harmful.
• Peter's Investigation — Peter follows his father's campaign into the club scene and becomes less certain of his position.
  • Tracing the Clubs — Peter investigates the clubs and traces their activities online.
  • The Mr. Happy Alias — Peter persists and enters the scene under an assumed name.
• House of Thwax — Peter gains access to Tanya's club, violates her rules, and is expelled.
  • Tanya's Challenge — Peter solves a challenge, and Tanya allows him to visit.
  • Expelled for Breaking Rules — Tanya throws Peter out after he violates her rules.
• Evidence and Trial — Harding and Peter assemble evidence for a prosecution that becomes a public courtroom battle.
  • Peter Agrees to Testify — Peter joins Harding in assembling evidence they believe supports charges.
  • Public Courtroom Battle — The prosecution argues that the club's activities amount to bodily harm and gross indecency.
• Moral Authority Challenged — The courtroom proceedings put Harding's credibility and moral authority under scrutiny.
  • Reporters Question Harding — Reporters raise allegations about his past as a headmaster, which he denies.
  • The Judge's Warning — The judge warns Tanya against disrupting the court.
• An Unresolved Confrontation — Tanya confronts Peter privately before the prosecution reaches a clear resolution.
  • Trust Put in Question — Tanya says she trusted Peter as a friend and asks about his motives.
  • Faith or Ambition — Peter defends his position, leaving their relationship and the case uncertain.

Directed by

Stuart Urban

Key Cast

• Guinevere Turner — Tanya Cheex
• Christien Anholt — Peter Emery
• Tom Bell — Henry Harding MP
• Julie Graham — Eugenie
• Georgina Hale — Miss Wilderspin