‘People think porn is dirty but we deserve recognition at the Oscars’
A woman is fighting to get voices in porn heard, and she thinks adult stars deserve recognition at the Oscars.
Tired of seeing people generalise the industry as “dirty” Erika Lust, 45, is here to tell people that those who work to create adult films deserve a lot more credit.
Erika has been creating erotic movies for more than 20 years, and she says porn is truly here for everyone to enjoy.
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Globally renowned director and “new porn” pioneer Erika is calling for BAFTA and Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to introduce a new category – Best Intimacy Coach in a Motion Picture.
Intimacy Coaches facilitate, choreograph and set boundaries for actors filming sex scenes, although are only just becoming established in an industry notorious for male-domination and sexual exploitation.
Emma Thompson has called them “fantastically important”, Ruth Wilson wished she had one while filming “The Affair”, and they are increasingly involved in many of the world’s biggest blockbusters but, despite the nascent #MeToo and Time’s Up movements changing practices in film production, their craft still haven’t been recognised at the BAFTAs or Oscars this year.
(Image: @erikalustfilms/Instagram)
In January, it was announced the two lead actors of Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet were suing Paramount Pictures for “emotional damage and mental anguish” caused by filming sex scenes as teenagers in the 1968 production.
Erika, who has directed and produced over 300 adult entertainment films since 2004, argues that Hollywood and the wider film industry could learn from the ethical porn industry, which places consent and cast wellbeing in filming scenes.
Speaking exclusively to The Daily Star, she said: “Intimacy co-ordination is revolutionising the way we film and portray sex and intimacy on screen.
“Since the #MeToo movement, many people in the film industry finally felt safe enough to step up and denounce failed consent practices, abuses they suffered while working on intimate scenes on set, or just feeling pushed to do things that they didn’t really want to do.
“Having this category represented at BAFTA or Oscars would validate the importance of safety and consent in this industry and send the message that this industry wants to learn from its mistakes, and role in film production, as this role is a crucial advocate for actors in their relationships with directors, producers and crews in film production.”
(Image: Getty Images)
She added: “Porn is a dirty word for many, but as a female director in a still predominantly male-dominated porn industry, just like Hollywood, I bet Hollywood could learn from the ethical standards and expectations we place on set to protect cast members from exploitation, misogyny and degrading behaviour.
“From its earliest day, the mainstream film industry has been tainted and shaped by male-dominated exploitation.
“That includes everything from the notorious casting couch to improper conduct by actors and directors towards cast members – forcing them to perform scenes they had not consented to.”
Erika said there are awards for categories like costume design, interior decoration and hair and make-up at big award shows.
In an industry where sex sells she thinks recognising the critical role of Intimacy Coaches with an award category would be a powerful and timely statement by the respective academies.
She thinks they play a key role in ensuring directors and actors convey sex, sexual pleasure and nudity with consent, care and free of exploitation.
(Image: Erika Lust)
“Unfortunately the word ‘pornography’ is heavily stigmatised and carries a lot of negative connotations,” she added.
“When people hear the word ‘porn’ they instantly think of the often extreme and violent scenes that are available in abundance on the free tube sites.
“This type of porn has become the norm, and in people’s mind porn is now automatically something ugly, violent, chauvinistic or shameful.
“In comparison to a lot of the content on the free tube sites, my style of adult cinema on XConfessions and Lust Cinema differs in terms of cinematic values and representation of sex, as well as in the production process.”
(Image: Erika Lust)
In 2023 Erika said porn and sex are now considered way less taboo topics for people of all genders in comparison to just ten years ago.
She said there are lots of online resources and communities encouraging more positive conversations around sex and porn consumption, which is helping people to be more knowledgeable and feel more confident to talk openly about their sexuality.
But there’s still a long way to go, as she said there is still a stigma attached to people working in the industry, especially women.
She said the porn industry “is still heavily mistreated by society”, as well as by media outlets and governments.
Erika added: “While people consume porn abundantly, they’re still not educated to treat the people who make it with humanity and respect or to understand that sex work is work that, as any other work, deserves to be paid.
“Encouraging viewers to start seeing their favourite porn creators and performers as humans just like them would make a considerable step in stopping fetishizing the people working in our industry, and start seeing the world of sex with less panic.”
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