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Feminist porn is lifting the genre out of the seedy corners of the web

Janina Lebiszczak
29.9.2022
Translation: Katherine Martin

Pornos, not porNO: how about sex that goes beyond traditional gender roles and stereotypes, instead of genital close-ups? Feminist porn intends to provide an erotic counterbalance to gonzo and the male gaze.

But I was there to visit a film set that was operating under dignified conditions. It had a script, excellent cameras, costumes and make-up, set design and sufficient breaks. Meanwhile, the actors had insurance, and enjoyed their work. The production company was called «Private Films», which once guaranteed a certain standard.

Yes, porn can make movie history too

The firm now has 20 employees and distributes books and sex toys in addition to films. It also created «xconfessions», a platform where people like you and me can describe their erotic fantasies, which then have the potential to be chosen by Erika for adaptation into a film. Female-made porn (or at least, porn catering to female desire) had begun to make inroads. And if you want my personal opinion, there’s nothing wrong with that.

What kind of porn turns women on? Almost the same as men (nothing too vanilla anyway)

From a cinematic point of view, pornography probably falls into the «sci-fi/fantasy» category – almost anything is possible, and everything is sure to be over the top. Porn is raw, lurid and in many ways, has no bearing on reality. I’m okay with that. As far as I’m concerned, porn can go ahead and be as clichéd as it wants – I get enough reality as it is.

Hardly anyone seriously believes (apart from minors, of course – the over-sexualisation of still inexperienced teens is a real problem!) that the average penis is 30 cm long and the average vulva is hairless and pink. And probably a minority at most have the desire to be covered in sperm by a bunch of strangers.

FemPorn: the business of bodies and sexuality done differently

The man knows what he’s talking about. The only movies produced and approved for his streaming platform are productions by filmmakers who work in line with ethical and feminist values. The goal? To create a safe space for viewers and filmmakers alike. Everyone involved works under fair conditions. Diversity of gender, ethnicity and social class is a top priority – and the genres range from bondage to S&M.

So, we’ve got it all now: porn created for the «male gaze», and feminist porn, which centres female desire while shunning gender roles and stereotypes. The selection on the market today is considerably wider than the one in Barcelona back in 2003. It’s a range that caters to garden-variety horndogs and carnal connoisseurs alike. It’s diverse – in every position, from queer to straight, sensual to dirty.

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