Erika Lust on Ethical Porn, Senior Sexuality and Behind-the-Scenes Diversity

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Erika Lust is known for redefining the norms of adult entertainment. Recognized as a leading filmmaker in the feminist pornography movement, she combines high-production values, cinematography, and great-looking people having sex.

In this insightful Q&A, Erika Lust shares what it means to be both a creator and consumer of ethical porn. The trailblazing adult filmmaker also digs into representations of senior sexuality on screen and the importance of diversity on both sides of the camera.

How do you define what is ethical porn to you as a filmmaker?

Erika Lust: “Ethically produced porn ensures that what you are watching was made with respect to performers’ working conditions, rights, and dignity and with their previous consent to everything that happened on the scene that day.

“This also means that everyone involved in making the films is compensated and treated fairly.

“There are many reasons why ethically produced adult content is accessible behind a paywall. Money is needed to pay performers, crew, post-production, and all freelance collaborators fairly and to ensure that sex work is done in a safe environment.

“Ethically produced porn also means that the dignity of the people involved is respected in how the films are distributed. We don’t use fetishizing, racist, or misogynistic language when titling and promoting our movies but rather focus on encouraging a positive approach to sex.”

On how to be an ethical consumer of adult entertainment

Erika Lust: “In my eyes, the best thing you can do to support people in the adult industry is to pay for their work. When you pay for your porn, you are supporting the people who do it, and you are sending the message that you want to watch porn that is made with performers’ safety at the forefront.

“Consumers are ultimately a part of the industry—the future of porn depends on the people who watch it. By refusing to pay for a product used regularly, consumers convince themselves they are not part of the sex industry (and have more dignity than the people they see having sex on screen).

“When you pay for porn not rooted in exploitation, racism, misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia, you are sending the message that these are not the values you are supporting and that you see and appreciate the work of the people who create it.

“When you seek quality content regarding authentic and relatable representations and ethical production processes, you support sustainable porn production, distribution, and consumption and value the work it takes to make porn.”

Related Read: Where to Find Female-friendly Porn

On senior sex film ‘Soulsex’

Erika Lust: “I’m very happy to have had the chance to show the beauty of senior sex and that older people have desires that are worth celebrating too. Senior sex can mean more intimacy, more time, and more pleasure, and John and Annie showed us exactly this. I think it’s important to normalize senior sex to show that older bodies are beautiful and that seniors still have their own desires and sexual urges.

“My intention is to shoot more movies depicting senior sex, apart from ‘Soulsex’ with John and Annie that I directed for XConfessions and the series ‘The Widow’ directed by Nica Noelle for Lust Cinema.”

Related Read: Senior Sexuality: How to Improve Your Sexual Health As You Age

On diversity on and off camera

Erika Lust: “Historically, we’ve seen poor representation in explicit films regarding the orgasm gap, the fetishization of ethnicities, and the lack of relatable representation of the diversity of bodies, gender identities, abilities, and race.

“At Erika Lust, we always try to tell relatable stories with relatable characters who can fully explore and express their identities and sexuality. We want our performers to exist in front of the camera without being reduced to their appearance, physical features, or skin color. So many people around the globe crave to see themselves represented in the content they watch. So why not give it to them?

“When you have women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC people in positions of power behind the cameras—as producers, directors, and scriptwriters—they’ll bring their perspectives into the films and create a sex-positive space to reclaim their sexuality, pleasure, and desires. They can tell their own stories! This way, we can rewrite the script about our involvement in sex (and public life) and offer alternatives.”

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