Pleasure
directed by Ninja Thyberg, France / Netherlands / Sweden 2021, 105'
“Business or pleasure?”, a border officer asks Bella Cherry at the Los Angeles airport. The charming but somewhat naive 19-year-old arrives in California from her native Sweden to begin a career as a porn star. Does pornography made with respect for women exist? Bella is not a victim of exploitation nor human trafficking, she comes from a rich country, she is aware, sex-positive and full of hope that she can decide about herself and her body. For her, sex work is not a compulsion but a choice, and the California porn industry seems to follow the rules that are supposed to protect actresses and actors from abuse. However, as she passes through the circles of hell, it becomes clear that despite all the efforts, the porn industry remains a grey area, and the line between consent and coercion is blurred. This authentic and uncompromising film exposes all that doesn't fit into a YouPorn clip frame: from the actors' hygienic preparations and warm-ups, through the negotiations during hardcore scenes, to the filming techniques and camera positioning for best effect. We’re watching everything through Bella's eyes, we see exactly what she sees, without censorship nor anaesthesia.
[description: New Horizons]
