Continuing to face a never-ending barrage of legal threats, Tickled is a laughing matter that is no laughing matter.

Directed by David Farrier and Dylan Reeve, Tickled is an investigative documentary into the world of competitive endurance tickling. Initially appearing as an innocent, perhaps sexual activity, the sport becomes part of a surprisingly dark underworld full of blackmail, bullying and litigations. As they delve further into their investigation, the duo directors receive numerous legal threats to stop their production. Eventually, however, they discover the head of the entire operation, which runs on an international scale.

The film originated a couple years ago when Farrier, a New Zealand TV and radio reporter who had specialized in stories about eccentricities, discovered a Youtube video depicting the sport and offering young men aged between 18-24 $1,500 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles to participate. Farrier then contacted the video’s producer, Jane O’Brien Media, hoping to attain an interview for an article, but instead received a homophobic response which threatened legal action should he continue to inquire.

Farrier decided to blog the experience, resulting in a slew of abusive emails about his sexuality and sometimes his race. He then received notices from a New York attorney and a local New Zealand lawyer claiming defamation. Convinced there was more to the story, Farrier and co-director Reeve became determined to create a documentary, enlisting the aid of two lawyers to protect themselves.

Since its commencement, the film has overcome two defamation lawsuits from one of the subjects in the film David D’Amato. Occasionally referred to by the alias Terri Tickle, D’Amato accused the directors and producers had vilified him as a “deviant.” He has previously been involved in multiple other lawsuits in which he was inculpated with soliciting videos of tickling from young men and then bullying those who attempted to rescind. D’Amato is currently claiming defamation again and negligence in the infliction of emotional distress.

During the Sundance Film Festival, a member of Jane O’Brien was reported to be in attendance during the film’s screening, taking extensive notes on a legal pad. The same man also appeared at the True/Film documentary film festival along with several others, one of which was allegedly pirating the film with a camera in a coffee shop.

Tickled has been acquired by HBO films and Magnolia Pictures and will have a limited theatrical release June 17.