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Porn can empower women, says feminist adult movie director – Metro US

Porn can empower women, says feminist adult movie director

Porn can empower women, says feminist adult movie director
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There are several myths and half-truths surrounding pornographic film. For many years it was thought that women did not watch porn, let alone enjoy it.

However, PornHub, the website featuring the highest number of “adult videos” in the world, discovered that 24 percent of its visitors were women — and they stayed longer on the site than men.

RELATED:‘Game of Thrones’ premiere causes Pornhub to lose views

Female pleasure is something that film director Erika Lust knows a thing or two about. The Stockholm-born moviemaker, who now lives in Barcelona, is giving women what they want through her feminist pornography movement.

What is feminist porn?

Feminist porn is porn made in another perspective, where the woman is an active and independent person and not just an object of desire. It gives prominence to sexuality and women’s pleasure and does not conform to outdated and exaggerated visions of sex. All this is very present in my films, but I prefer to define my work as an independent adult filmmaker. Mainly because when we think of the word porn, we tend to think of something cheap, plastic and misogynistic. I do independent adult films that give prominence to a story, real characters and beautiful and natural sex. It is also true that by saying “feminist,”many people think that it’s something only for women. And it is not like that! Men also like a different kind of erotic movies.

Where does feminist porn come from?

It comes from people who have seen that pornography needs a change. It’s a great part of the discourse on sexuality that exists in our society — it’s undeniable. But there are other ways to do it. To make erotic films that challenge the pornographic rule, women must be behind the camera: as directors, producers and decision-makers. It’s not enough to think that “there should be a different porn,”it must be created.

Why did you decide to do porn with a gender perspective?

During my studies at the University of Lund, I read the book “Hard Core: Power, Pleasure, and the Frenzy of the Visible” by Linda Williams, which influenced my thinking a lot. I liked the erotic world but I did not recognize myself in the products I saw, so I decided to create stories that I would like to see: with other values, with artistic care, with interesting and real characters.

How do you go about selecting your actors?

I look for people that are intelligent and interesting. I think it’s something that you then see on the screen. In fact, many of the actors I work with are the most fascinating people I have ever met in my life. I also try to look for people with a natural and different look. For me it is very important that the actors feel comfortable on set, as well as with the people they are working with, so I often ask them who they would like to work with. It creates a more natural tension and real dynamics; you can see that there really is an attraction there.

Who comes up with the storylines?

I choose the stories that will become short movies and since viewers send me anonymous confessions about themselves on the web through XConfessions, I have a multitude of stories to choose from. I am looking for different stories that could happen to any of us. I want people to identify with the story, which is not the case with the typical cheap setup featuring “the pizza delivery guy.”

What is your on-set style?

I make funny, hot, beautiful, different and surprising movies. In addition, I pay close attention to cinematography, the location and everything visual. With my project XConfessions, I work with real fantasies, where people send me their fantasies and anonymous confessions and each month I choose two to become erotic short movies.

The main feature is the care of the image and cinematography. Few mainstream pornographic productions work with directors of photography; they do not pay much attention to lighting or the story behind the characters or why they know each other and why they are having sex. Careful cinematography helps you to transmit sensations and create a sensual atmosphere. In addition, I seek to show the sexuality of women and their desire in a natural and positive way.

What differentiates us is that I think the solution is to change it, and not leave it in the dark or pretend it does not exist. Eroticism and pornography should not be taboos. Not all erotic films are bad and alternatives are possible. If my movie can help a person discover their sexuality, express it and be an inspiration, I’ll be happy. I think people are happier when we enjoy our sex life and there is no reason to feel ashamed of our desires.

-Andrea Sánchez / nuevamujer.com