Exploring Women's Porn: Insights from Creators in [Location]

Inside the “Feminist Porn” Movement: A Look at Erika Lust's Productions

Before filming an anal sex scene, 28-year-old porn actress Kasumi shares her pre-shoot diet on social media, which includes coconut water and jelly beans. She claims these choices provide her with energy and prevent dizziness, noting that they're easy to digest during filming.

Erika Lust's Feminist Pornography

Kasumi makes this post in anticipation of filming a project by Erika Lust, a prominent advocate for feminist porn. The adult actress, with a background in film and marketing, discovered that the porn industry allowed her to act and earn money while embracing her sexuality. After gaining popularity on OnlyFans during the pandemic, she defines feminist porn as content created by women, where consent and transparency are paramount. “We make porn for women because — until now — porn has been defined as being for men,” explains Paulita Pappel, a feminist porn director.

Lust reinforces this perspective, describing feminist porn as a movement to reclaim representations of sex traditionally crafted for the male gaze. She emphasizes that this genre enables individuals of all genders to take control of their sexual expression. “In feminist porn, women, men, and people of all genders have control over what they do sexually,” Lust states.

The Growing Demand for Ethical Adult Content

Despite the rise of feminist porn, it counts for a small fraction of the industry's output. A simple search for “porn” online reveals over 7.6 billion results, primarily directing users to free content. However, production companies like PinkLabel.tv, Hardwerk, and Lust Cinema are focusing on ethical and alternative adult content, which now represents an estimated 15% of the market and continues to grow.

In Barcelona, the Lust team produces around 30 films annually, with their latest project titled Art of Anal: Sploosh. This particular scene is inspired by Kasumi's fantasy involving a cake. The production team's decision stemmed from audience interaction on social media, asking what participants would do with the cake, leading to a humorous and creative concept.

Inclusivity and Comfort on Set

The film crew predominantly comprises women and non-binary individuals. Kasumi expresses her comfort in articulating her boundaries on set, which contrasts with experiences in mainstream porn. “In mainstream porn, I would probably have to deal with these situations on my own,” she notes.

Erika Lust employs a total of 49 staff members, with 70% being women. The company boasts approximately 72,000 active subscribers from various countries, including the United States, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France. Lust emphasizes that her productions celebrate the diversity of human sexuality, ensuring that all performers are of legal age and fully understand the filming environment.

Pre-Filming Protocols and Safety Measures

Prior to filming, the director and intimacy coordinator engage in detailed discussions with actors about their comfort levels and boundaries. They also review STI test results, and agreements on safe methods are established among the participants.

Anarella Martínez-Madrid, the intimacy coordinator and casting producer at Lust's production company, emphasizes that her work predates the formal emergence of the intimacy coordinator role in Hollywood. “In mainstream porn, there are practices that go against the basic needs of actors,” she states, focusing on providing a respectful and caring working environment.

Martínez-Madrid believes the issue lies not in porn itself but in the lack of sexual education. She stresses the need for warnings about the differences between fictional depictions and real-life practices. “We try to educate our audience about the risks associated with various sexual activities,” she adds.

The Debate on Feminist Porn

Despite the positive intentions behind feminist porn, the concept is not without controversy. Some critics argue that the differences between conventional and feminist porn are negligible. Alejandro Villena, director of Spain's Piénsatelo Psicología, questions the existence of a theoretical foundation for feminist porn, stating, “Calling this porn ‘feminist' is a whitewash that legitimizes sexist models and objectification.”

Villena acknowledges that while occasional porn consumption may not have harmful effects, excessive use can impact sexual experiences, relationships, and mental health. A recent study found that many adolescents view pornography as a source of sexual education, which can lead to misconceptions and unhealthy behaviors.

Romeo, a 32-year-old actor, offers a counterpoint, asserting that the problem is not porn itself, but the lack of proper sexual education. He observes that the environment in which performers work can greatly influence their experiences. “In conventional porn, performers have no control… Here, our comfort is prioritized,” he notes.

Final Thoughts from the Set

After an intense few hours of filming, Kasumi and Romeo find themselves exhausted. As they wrap up, the intimacy director encourages a more private setting to ensure the scene's conclusion unfolds comfortably. Both actors navigate their challenges amidst the playful chaos of the shoot, handling leftover cakes while reflecting on their experiences.