2014 has been a glorious year for the representation of transgender people in the media, seeing issues dealt with head on. We are finally seeing positive portrayals on TV with back stories, context and developed characters.

Amazon’s series Transparent, which tells the story of a father coming out as a trans woman to her family, received two Golden Globe awards. The films creator, Jill Soloway, also made sure the entire production crew was trans-inclusive. This is especially in tune with my own philosophy – using an all-female crew to create female-centric erotica. People must have a voice to tell their own stories and the power to take part in a discourse that concerns them.

2014 also saw Orange is the New Black feature trans female inmate Sophia Burset played by Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox, whilst Orphan Black introduced transgender clone Tony, played by Tatiana Maslany. 

Now, Drag Queens are being given a voice. photographer/filmmaker James Hoskings photographic and mini-documentary series, Beautiful by Night, looks into the lives of three senior drag queens Donna Personna, Collette LeGrande and Olivia Hart in San Francisco’s very last gay bar in the Tenderloin District, Aunt Charlie’s Lounge.

Photo: Donna, jameshosking.com/

Each portrait is incredibly intimate and beautiful. I couldn’t help but feel absolute respect and admiration for these men who have dedicated their whole lives to a profession that enables them to explore and express a female persona’s of themselves.

Photo: Collette, jameshosking.com/

Photo: Olivia, jameshosking.com/

The mini-documentary is even more revealing, as you listen to the reflections of three drag foremothers as they go through their hypnotic performances and beauty rituals.

Beautiful By Night from James Hosking on Vimeo.

I love what Hoskings has done, having given such colour and life to these three complex and dedicated men. It’s another step forward for transgender and drag queens alike. View more of the project on Hoskings website.

The post BEAUTIFUL BY NIGHT: THE DRAG QUEEN FOREMOTHERS appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

The first of many exciting events to hit Lust Films in 2015: I’m going to South by Southwest! What for? To #ChangePorn of course!

SXSW is one of the most interesting, contemporary and relevant festivals infusing music, film and interactive media in the world. It will take place in Austin, Texas, from the 13th to the 21st of March 2015. I’ve been invited to the Film Conference, as the key speaker on the Rethinking Porn from a Female Perspective panel.

Why is it so important to be involved in a project such as mine at SXSW? I think it’s thrilling to take part in a festival outside the adult entertainment circuit and outside my comfort zone, so to speak. I also find the fact that SXSW puts filmmaking in a new perspective, amidst new media and technology, interesting. Cinema is not dead, it never was. They also say that video (not to mention the Internet) killed good erotica. But neither of these is true, things are just… evolving. That’s what we have been exploring with XCONFESSIONS, a multi-platform and crowd-sourced explicit film project. This is why my panel is also under the “Interactive” field of the festival. Exciting, uh? Very!

Stay tuned, dear friends of new erotica in the States, because since I am crossing the ocean I’m scheduling other events with XCONFESSIONS ON TOUR. Which will give you the chance to assist in theatrical screenings in other cities across North America…

The post I’M COMING TO SXSW 2015 appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

So it’s almost the end of January and about time I told you about all the sexy digital downloads you can get your mitts on in the Lust Store. We have so many titles that I think will fit any pleasure seeker’s kink! And a whole set of categories to help you find your fit: New Wave, Reality Porn, Sex Education…

Amongst the newest we have Pulsion, where the critically acclaimed French film director Ovidie explores sexual addiction in her typical art house style. If you want to go for a different, rougher style, then there’s Perversions of Lesbian Lust by the ever kinky Madison Young, which offers a look into the directors first dominatrix lesbian relationship with some interesting scenes of power play.

Then, we have new releases by big studios, like JoyBear’s erotic hit The Pleasure Professionals featuring a seductive main character; a sophisticated escort who likes to define herself as “a lifestyle expert…”. For those who get aroused by darker fantasies, I’d recommend the AVN Movie of the Year winner Wasteland, where Graham Travis blends breathtaking cinematography, deep story lines and intense hardcore sex scenes.

If you’ve listened to my TEDxVIENNA talk you’ll know that I firmly believe that pornography is a discourse for today’s sex and gender education. So there are also explicit videos with an educational purpose (literally), for those of you interested in improving your natural skills in bed. Cunnilingus & Fellatio by Pierre Roshan takes on the best oral sex techniques for both man and woman. Or why not explore the realms of Tantra in Secrets of Sexual Ecstasy? Plus each sex ed title download is on offer for €6.90.

Plus, you can now receive a special 20% discount for every digital download with the code HOTDOWNLOAD. It won’t last forever so don’t chew on it! 

My definitive list of the best new downloads available in LUST STORE:

Pulsion (Ovidie)
San Francisco (Nympho Ninjas)
Wasteland (Graham Travis)
The Best of Liandra Dahl vol.1
The Best of Liandra Dahl vol.2
The Pleasure Professionals (Joybear)
Perversion of Lesbian Lust (Madison Young)
Love is a Dangerous Game (New Sensations)
An Eternal Love (New Sensations)
Tao Massage (Pierre Roshan)
Cunnilingus & Fellatio (Pierre Roshan)
Classic Seka (Vintage)
Autobiography of a Flea (Vintage)
Portrait of a Call Girl (Graham Travis)
Recipe for Romance (New Sensations)
Tristan Taormino’s Guide to Bondage for Couples (COMING SOON)
The Submission of Emma Marx vol. 2 (COMING SOON)

The post TURN UP THE HEAT: BEST DIGITAL DOWNLOADS IN THE LUST STORE appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

It’s finally here, and I don’t know why I didn’t shoot it sooner! What’s the most popular sex toy of the 21s century? The webcam! #SKYPESEX shows us how absence really can make the heart grow fonder… And unlike the real thing, in this fantasy, we turn that lust into real life fucking!

I’m so excited to have welcomed back two of my favourite performers for this short! Barcelona native, Juan Lucho returns after his wonderful performance in Sadistic Trainer and gets to fully indulge this time! I loved how much virtual chemistry there was between him and Asian beauty Lady Mai, who I worked with way back when I shot Five Short Stories For Her. 

2015 is the year of trying new and more lustful things and this was a great opportunity to create that tension in a new and exciting way. I can’t wait for you to see what’s coming up in the next few weeks! But for now, grab your laptop, relax and enjoy…

You can also check out our interview with the wonderful Lady Mai below on what it’s like to be a Lust Films performer!

XConfessions Performers // Lady Mai from Erika Lust on Vimeo.

The post NEW TO XCONFESSIONS: #SKYPESEX appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

Today I saw my TEDxVIENNA Talk reach 100,000 views on YouTube and I could not be more proud! It´s so good to know that there are so many others out there that are on board with my new approach to adult cinema and that something needs to be done to change it!

So I want to give a personal HUGE thank you to all of you that have been sharing, tweeting and talking about it the last few weeks.

Porn should be sexy, fun and smart. Modern adult entertainment is supposed to do that: entertain, give pleasure, improve our sex lives. But is also important to let people know that porn plays a huge part in sex and gender education, especially for our children, including my own. So we need to make sure it´s GOOD porn they are watching!

Let´s keep spreading the word to #CHANGEPORN and make a change!

The post #CHANGEPORN: TED TALK HITS 100K! appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

Lately, I’ve come to realise, that although we are well aware that mainstream media dictates an unrealistic standard of beauty, we are still letting it affect how we see ourselves and each other. The same goes in mainstream porn, with both sexes abiding by standards which tell them they must me hairless, tanned, muscular and well endowed.

These ideals can make casting difficult for my own films when I want to find someone different, someone natural, someone authentic. This is something incredibly important to me, just look at the XConfessions performers page.

I for one find these standards unforgiving and toxic, making women and men feel inadequate. But why are we not accepting everyone’s image as beautiful for their own quirks and idiosyncrasies? We don’t have to live up to the image of Jennifer Anniston on the front of the latest magazine.

zmftw.tumblr.com

But this image is associated with success. You will get noticed, find a great job, a man and live a fulfilled life. I’m bored of it. For me beauty is in being natural, we don’t need make-up, hair extensions, thin frames or plastic surgery to make ourselves feel beautiful or successful.

But of course, I don’t like to play judge as anybody should do whatever they like with their body. But they should think why before. Ask themselves: “Do I really like this?” Do some personal research. Make a meditated and informed choice.

Recently, I came across StyleLikeU, a video platform founded by former stylist Elisa Goodkind and her daughter Lily Mandelbaum, that aims to celebrate all forms of beauty, breaking down the barriers made by mainstream media.

It’s an incredible idea. I love seeing how each individual expresses themselves through their clothes before stripping off and revealing incredible personalities. As a project created by a former stylist, you realise how important it is to recognise that it’s the attitudes of each person that makes them beautiful, not just their image.

As a feminist I do not believe in any dictatorship, whether it’s women and men in mainstream media or the bunch of uninteresting and distasteful men in porn imposing a whole ideal model of a women in her looks, conducts and values. It is inhibiting women and men being able to express themselves individually and liberally, without fear of judgement. We need to stop fulfilling the expectations of others. We need to look beyond the make-up, the clothes and the hairless vagina’s. Then we’ll notice the interesting and beautiful individuals who deserve as much attention as someone who is the “ideal”.

The sooner we realise this, the sooner women and men can be truly liberated.

The post CRACKING DOWN ON BEAUTY STANDARDS appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

One of the best feminist art collectives around, the Guerrilla Girls, are celebrating 30 years since they begun their art revolution with the opening “Guerrilla Girls 1985-2015″ at Matadero Madrid.

http://www.guerrillagirls.com/

Compiling over 200 works from their career dressed in Gorilla masks, the femmes travel through iconic posters in chronological sequence and a series of documents detailing their history and production processes. This also includes the documentary Guerrillas in Our Midst by Amy Harrison from 1992 and the video interview by the exhibitions curator Xabier Arakistain. The exhibition runs up until 26th April 2015 and you can find more information here.

I am a huge fan of these girls, their attitude and approach to discussing feminism and sexism within art, politics, film and culture is so humorous but also very on point.

Photo: Helena Exquis (From left to right) Helena Exquis, Claire O´Keefe, Anastasia Bengoechea

Heiresses of the Guerrilla Girls, Chicas Internet, also kicked off here in Barcelona last weekend at Studio Store which celebrates the new online femininity. Their photographer and my own stylist of XConfessions, Claire O´Keefe, told me more about the project.

I guess you’ve heard about the Guerrilla Girls. What changes do you spot when comparing the moment when they begun with this moment when you develop Chicas Internet? (Besides the obvious part: Internet)

We are huge fans! We are also daughters of the Women Art Revolution in the 70’s, the Riot grrrl movement and also the Pussy Riots. I guess the internet is the obvious massive change for everything now. But in general, there seems to be more awareness, we all know things are not working well and there are more and more movements towards change. The financial crisis has made it easier to step out of our comfort area, as it was uncomfortable already, and that has made people more creative, more DIY is going on and there is more willingness to make change.

Are you scared of the Feminism becoming a trend?

On the contrary. Feminism has to be accessible to everyone. So if American Apparel wants to put loads of pubic hair on their mannequins, let them be! Who cares? It’s all about statements. Feminism can’t go in and out of fashion like if it was an animal print or a pair of sneakers. Thanks to the Internet, Feminism is here to stay.

http://chicasinternet.tumblr.com/

Besides what you are claiming, what do you all have in common aesthetically in your work?

We all share a similar aesthetic. It’s all very girly, pink, colourful, dreamy and sexy. It’s just the way we are. We still like stuff that we liked in our teenage years, it wasn’t just a phase. We want to tell the world that we can be girly and strong women with a lot to say, all at the same time!

What’s the reaction of male audiences so far? Are they seduced?

We never had thought of that! Who knows?! I guess they are attracted to all this feminist movement and if not, well… they are not in our radar of people that attract us. We don’t like guys that are scared of women. We were surprised by the amount of heterosexual men there were at the opening party in Studio Store. In general men are attracted, amused, curious… And they love the name, which is pretty catchy. In any case, we must ask them.

Do Chicas Internet like porn? What kind of porn do you watch?

Obviously they like porn and they watch all sorts of it. From very dirty categories to lesbic porn, from hentai to threesomes. It depends on the day!

http://chicasinternet.tumblr.com/

“Hi. I want to be a Chica Internet. What shall I do?”

Probably if you are asking this you already done a lot to be one. But basically:

1. You have to be an artist or at least want to be one.

2.You must understand all the new languages the Internet is introducing in our way of expressing ourselves.

So, just send us your portfolio and ideas and we will get back to you as soon as possible for our future actions.

What are the plans for the future?

We want to organise different actions in different cities, in and out of Spain. In the long run we dream of having an female artist agency or a magazine!

Chicas Internet runs until the 13th Feburay and to see more photos visit their website.

http://chicasinternet.tumblr.com/

The post CHICA POWER: THE DAUGHTERS OF THE GUERRILLA appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

With the brand new release of XConfessions Vol. 4, have you ever wondered who’s behind the composition and editing of the films? Meet Aleix, the youngest post-production editor in the team. As they say, their department is the “vagina” that gives birth to the films!

What is your official job title at Lust films?

Noel and me are in charge of the post-production department.

When someone asks you what you do, what is your typical response?

I mainly edit short films, so I spend the day watching porn! Just kidding. Really what we do is much more elaborate since all the pieces we shoot have a narrative that requires time and care. The great part about my job description is that we have a lot of creative freedom. As an editor, I can sometimes enhance the stories, even change them completely. On the other hand, the way we build sex scenes has nothing to do with mainstream porn. Our shooting is very cinematographic and this gives us a great variety of shots and frames. In mainstream porn, they usually focus on the explicit, forgetting that sometimes a glance between actors can be more erotic. This does not mean that what we do is not explicit! We love vagina’s and penises! But there are ways of portraying it.

When did you start working at Lust Films?

I’ve been here for 10 months.

How did you come to get the job?

I was recommended by Simón, the DOP in XConfessions Vol. 2 and 3. Pablo and Noel interviewed me  and after seeing that we connected, they decided to give me a chance.

What was it about Erika Lust and the company that made you want to work here?

The will and enthusiasm Erika and the whole team put into their work, and how little this seems like a porn production company, at least the kind of porn to which we are used to. The team is composed by young people trained in film, design, advertising, among others, and this creates a very enriching and creative environment. For people who are dedicated to editing it is quite common to work in porn at some point in your life and this is something that people often avoid putting on their resume. My case is quite the opposite, I feel very proud of my work.

What do you do on a usual day?

Each day I spend an important part of the time editing the new short films for XConfessions, because since they are released twice a month, they require a lot of work. I also work on creating additional content to XConfessions: Making of videos, interviews with performers, etc., and other materials to keep up the whole online universe by Erika Lust. Coffee time with Almudena (writer of XConfessions and content manager) and Noel is also very important, we take a break and share concerns and doubts.

What´s been the most exciting or strangest thing that has happened to you since you work here?

There is a cat which occasionally goes through the balcony. We do not know where it comes from but we love him very much. We call him Isidoro and each time he appears is very exciting. It’s a bit mystical. It has nothing to do with porn but he makes our days better!

Aleix (right) in a cameo appearance in upcoming XConfessions short CARNIVAL HUSTLERS.

What makes working at Lust Films different from your previous jobs?

Actually this is my first work experience. I just finished my university studies and I’ve been fortunate to do different internships in various film production companies where I have learned a lot! Working with Erika Lust has been the best way to start my professional life. I find the XConfessions project very cool and interesting, but in addition to that I can also make a living working in my field of expertise, which nowadays is a stroke of luck.

What do you see happening at Lust Films in 2015?

Lot and lots of things! Besides the release of a new compilation of short films, we are preparing a film festival tour with Erika which features a selection of the very best of XConfessions: that means bringing XConfessions to the big screen! Right now we are working on the finishing touches with Erika and the team. We are very excited as it´s an important step.

Is there anything else you would like to add about your experience/future at the company?

Everything looks great! XConfessions is a hit and we are working very hard to make every short film greater and better!

The post Meet Our Bright Editing Guru Aleix appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

Firstly, I must say I do not like to be told when to do things, not to mention when to feel things. On the other hand, sometimes we need a little push and c’mon… when it comes to sex (and love, of course) any excuse is good to celebrate! My curiosity was sparked a few days ago, while I was preparing a gift selection for my erotic store to commemorate the date: Who the hell was St Valentine? What has a Saint got to do with marketing operations like the release of Fifty Shades of Grey? This post is the result of some very quick and informal research on the subject.

Apparently there are several martyrs from the early Christian period with the name of Valentine, but the one that inspired this festivity was a priest from the 3rd Century who was prosecuted by emperor Claudius II (or was it III?). Not only because those Roman emperors where not very fond of Christians in general, but also because Claudius had banned the marriage between young people and St Valentine was allegedly performing secret ceremonies. Naughty, naughty!

Not so good for war

Romans were strictly hetero-monogamous, because of inheritance and property concerns. Despite the Bacchanalia and thinking Roman orgies were a regular occurrence, they were much more conservative! Indeed, early Christianity embraced the Roman institution of marriage, so why would Claudius be so angry with Valentine? Well, Claudius thought that wives made bad soldiers, because they would worry about their families’ future if they died in the battle field. And since the Roman Empire was a bit shaky at the time, he felt this was not convenient. Fist goes first! So Valentine went to prison before being beheaded.

So sorry for that handsome head… And all for the sake of monogamy!

Another widespread legend about St Valentine’s actions while in prison states that he developed a (very chaste) friendship with the daughter of his jailer Asterius. A young lady who was very sick or very blind (whatever) but was cured thanks to St Valentine’s prayers. He wrote a note for her before dying, signed From Your Valentine. This is the Hallmark version of the legend. The idea of St Valentine’s martyrdom day as a celebration of Romantic love wasn’t established until the Middle Age, appearing in poems and popular songs. Valentine’s Day is also mentioned by Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet:

To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s day,
All in the morning bedtime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.

Valentine’s Card by Millie Hall -  etsy.com/shop/MillieHallShop

I can’t help but think we are a bit crazy with all the flowers and chocolates and absurd BDSM blockbusters! But if you and your significant other(s) still feel like celebrating in spite of the bloody legend, make it sexy and come to my store. The selection I made is for those who express their love through pleasure… Plus, enter the code FUCKVALENTINE to get a 30% discount on all products until Feb 28th! Not bad huh? And in the end, St. Valentine´s only happens once a year!

The post MR. VALENTINE: FROM BEHEADING TO HALLMARK appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

With the poor representation on BDSM hitting cinemas near you with the release of Fifty Shades of Grey in a week, Lust Cinema is here to rescue you. Award-winning author, columnist, sex educator, speaker, radio host and feminist pornographer Tristan Taormino never fails to make brilliant, informed and educational erotic features. With an extensive 25 film catalogue focusing on education and sexual pleasure, you can get the low down on the best kinky and fun BDSM techniques there are with her Expert Guide to Bondage for Couples.

Guide to Bondage continues her Expert Guide series with her refreshing, personal, straight-to-the-point approach to sex and pleasure. Giving a step by step guide to techniques encouraging open communication between partners. Starring a great cast including Adrianna Luna and James Deen, this guide will make sure your bondage techniques are perfected for fun in the bedroom.

What sets Taormino´s work apart in this new generation of sex ed is her attention to the female perspective. We have an extensive collection of her works in Lust Cinema whether you want to become an expert at threesomes to anal for men or advanced in fellatio, Taormino has it all! Her guide to Rough Sex is one of my favorites, as it can show how it can be both fun, kinky and all about female pleasure as well. The result breaks the stereotypes, showing women can like and enjoy rough sex just as much as men. We are not all about rose petals and white sheets!

If this gets you feeling a little kinky, we have a load of products in the Lust Store to get you practicing your new BDSM techniques (and remember that util the end of February you have a 30% discount with the code FUCKVALENTINE).

The post NEW TO LUST CINEMA: TRISTAN TAORMINO´S GUIDE TO BONDAGE FOR COUPLES appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

alonsoespinoza.deviantart.com/

Last month I discussed sexism in superhero comics and movies, coming to the conclusion that although things are getting better, with a Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel films on the way, it’s still a mainly male orientated industry. But, surprisingly, many pass the infamous Bechdel Test according to research by The Daily Dot.

The Bechdel Test is a simple test of sexism. Named after the American cartoonist Alison Bechdel, who in 1985 featured her characters in her comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For discuss the idea. To pass, a movie must include:

1. Two named female characters…

2. who talk to each other…

3. about something other than a man.

peppermintyrose.livejournal.com/

So put to the test, here is the list of Marvel films that did and didn’t pass the Bechdel Test. What´s good to see is many of the more recent films have passed! So let´s hope this is a sign of things moving forward for future releases!

dailydot.com

The post SUPERHERO MOVIES: WHICH PASS THE BECHDEL TEST? appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

Carnival and St Valentine are upon us, so what better way to celebrate this festive weekend than with an erotic fantasy of thieves in the night and explicit public sex. Take a sneak peak into my latest short film Carnival Hustlers on XConfessions.com!

Plus, we have a special WEEKEND PROMO: A super 69% discount if you join XConfessions before February 15th until Midnight.

With the urge to shoot a disguise related confession, this confession ticked all the right boxes. With one of the most popular kinks being public sex combined with the naughty element of stealing, Carnival Hustlers is a story of lust and sin.

Recreated at a Fifth Avenue inspired party, I was able to have a lot of fun with the costume and make-up team to create a luxurious setting.

As my two 30s screwball thieves, Selina AK embodies an exotic Bird of Paradise, whilst British performer Alexei Jackson exudes his boy-like charm disguised as an aviator. To a sharp eye, it suggests their connection at a a party where everyone else is dressed in gold and black.

Finding each other to sneak away to the children´s bedroom, Selina and Alexei devour each other´s bodies on top of the guests fur coats, risking being caught at any moment by a curious onlooker.

Whilst Barcelona-based performer Selina appeared in Let´s Make A Porno, this is Alexei´s first appearance in XConfessions, which I´m sure will only increase the desire from his loyal fans. Watch his honest and revealing interview below.

Carnival 2015 has never looked sexier. Watch Carnival Hustlers on XConfessions.com now.

The post NEW TO XCONFESSIONS: CARNIVAL HUSTLERS appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

As I said before, sometimes we just need a reason to celebrate love. What better way to do it than with sex on your screen? I’m talking about the real kind of erotica, not some fake situation with Fifty Shades of Phoniness…  For all of you Valentine’s lovers who were a little too busy spreading love around and forgot to get a special something for your significant other, don’t worry! Here goes a list of the best last-minute gifts for Valentine’s day that will make your day into a special night. For all tastes, for all budgets! Because when we’re talking about sex (and love), I sure know my way around…

 1. How about a digital download to a really steamy movie to get things going on?  It’s practical, it’s fast, it’s classy, and of course, it’s something you both can enjoy. Besides, I hear there’s a special offer on my store!

2. A blowjob perhaps? Everyone loves a good blow. Want to recieve one? Send the hint!

3. A jar of raspberry jam, ad-ons on the human body are always sexy and fun! Other flavors work as well and you can find it at your local supermarket. If you need some input on how it works, read the confession that these ladies submitted to xconfessions.com

4. A homemade cake. Cooking sessions can lead to hot, hot, HOT sex!

Zazel Paradise and Kendo Ortiz making good use of the kitchen in I FOUND YOUR MOTHER ON TINDER

5. A role-play game. Try something different for a day and experiment things you never have before. He/she will appreciate it!

6. A bucket of ice. Make it cool before you make it hot!

FRAULEÏN O.: DAS AU-PAIR

7. A late night movie session. Of course you won’t be seeing the movie…

8. A lap dance. Show off your new lingerie with style!

9. An empty chest (or cardboard box if you are not on time for anything else!): where you both can share your kinkiest fantasies and confessions.

10. A spanking session: some like it rough…

THE ART OF SPANKING

And remember you can still grab this fantastic offer!

The post 10 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day! appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

A few weeks ago I wrote about Beate Uhse, former pilot and sex shop pioneer. Then I came across the teaser of a documentary about Alice Guy-Blaché, one of the mothers of narrative filmmaking, and I thought: this is an artist worth reclaiming! They say that for several years, Alice Guy was probably the only female film director in the world. The documentary is directed by another woman, Pamela Green, produced by Robert Redford and narrated by Jodie Foster.

Alice’s contributions to invent what we nowadays call “film language” are as important as those of many of her male contemporaries. Yet, it is outrageous the way Alice fell into oblivion since her death until very recent times, probably just because she was a woman.

benaturalthemovie.com

She began to work in the offices of Leon Gaumont as a secretary. Gaumont was a producer (sort of, as they were inventing the job!) and a 19th century geek. Alice had a natural curiosity for all the new cameras and strange film machines he always had around, so she quickly learned how to use them by herself. Eventually, Gaumont asked Alice to shoot some commercials to sell a chronophotography machine. She was about to become one of the most powerful women in the industry!

They say that she directed more than 1000 films, many of them lost. She eventually moved to the USA and founded her own studios: Solax. If you dive into the press at the time, you will get an idea of how important Alice became to be.
  

“A photodrama with a message to every woman”

A proof of her modernity was her motto, which she wrote on a billboard hung at the entrance of her studios: BE NATURAL. In a time when acting for the camera was still theatrical and based on exaggerated pantomimes, she was already vindicating the beauty and complications of depicting life as it was.

On October 2011, 43 years after her death, the Director’s Guild of America introduced her as a member, with a touching speech by Martin Scorsese, a huge fan of the pioneering filmmaker (as was Alfred Hitchcock!).

I finish by leaving you a short film directed by her in 1906 entitled The Consequences of Feminism. What do you think she was trying to express here? One clue: she also directed a film called In The Year 2000, When Women Are in Charge. 

The post ALICE GUY BLACHÉ: IT WASN’T NATURAL TO BE A FEMALE DIRECTOR appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

Watching the incredible ballet techniques of Sergei Polunin fall seamlessly with the Irish gospel of Hozier´s “Take me to Church”, makes this is one of the most beautiful and sexy videos I´ve seen lately.

Director David LaChapelle has done a brilliant job to create a video that is both full of angst and erotica as the Russian British Ballet vet performs choreography by Jade Hale-Christofi.

There´s just something about this man in nude tights and tattoos that perfectly brings together the raw yet emotional qualities of both the track and the dance.

The light beam entering from a corner that Polunin “casually” crosses every once in a while has almost a divine quality. The empty barn surrounded by nature, the leaves moving slightly due to the breeze as if they danced too, the subtle appearance of the smoke, the elegant movement of the camera… It looks simple, but it’s not. This is just perfection.

The post LACHAPELLE’S IMAGE OF PERFECTION appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

Who are they and how do they look? Do they behave girlish? What does “behaving girlish” even mean? Are feminist men masochistic, are they boring, are they hypocrites? Do they exist? Where is their hideout? Do you think that because I believe in feminist men, I am not a good feminist? Are feminist men a walking contradiction…?

feminismusfueralle.tumblr.com

As for every complex subject, when I try to think about this type I’ve called “The Feminist Man”, a lot of questions arise. I recall some of the reactions to Emma Watson’s speech supporting the UN’s HeForShe campaign, which precisely tried to win men’s favor in the fight for gender equality. The most pathetic of them was probably the fake nude photo leak, and the subsequent comments on the net made by men who had felt offended with her impassioned speech.

Let’s pick another case of study. Someone complained recently in an online forum concerning Fifty Shades of Grey. He said he understood there was gender inequality, we live in a chauvinistic world and he agreed to that. But then he wondered why should he care about women’s problems, when it was precisely women who were buying the goddamn book!

The key here is to understand that women’s issues are everybody’s issues, and that “gender” is not a synonym of “woman”. Ladies and gentlemen: don’t be afraid to say “I am a feminist”. Don’t feel threatened for those who consider themselves as such. This feminist issue is not a women’s issue, but something every person should care about.

Last case of study: the comments in my TED talk It’s Time for Porn to Change (I’m passing over an “All hail feminazi” that someone with an obvious high IQ posted):

… men still also need (sexual) emancipation, as much as women…

… Let me ask you this Erika. As often as there are only skinny big breasted women in porn, how often do you see men in porn who don’t have a six pack? Don’t have muscles?
Men are stereotyped just as often. The only difference is the average man doesn’t care. He says… good for you, that’s a great body I wish I could have. And do not forget the giant penis… As a man, I live depressed because I think women just like big penises… And mine is just average.

Look at the interesting contradiction in this last remark: he first states that “the average man” doesn’t care about stereotypes in porn, he literally says good for you. But then he says “As a man, I live depressed” because his penis is not as big as those of many adult performers!

The men I portray in my films don´t all have six packs. Some of them are fitter, others have a belly. Some of them have big cocks, some of them don’t. When it comes to casting, I follow exactly the same principles I follow with female performers: personality, authenticity and a unique sex appeal, no matter how they look. A growing diversity is one of the goals in our upcoming castings.

I can understand feminist men, because I think chauvinism is a prison for men too. If you are different from the virile stereotype, you have your feminine side awakened or maybe you’re gay (because that’s what being gay is all about, right?). How damn unfair for everyone! It is unfair having to feel embarrassed or weak for openly talking about your feelings when you need to. It is unfair having to be insecure in bed with a woman because you are neither Rocco Siffredi nor Christian Grey, and plus you are the Man, thus the one supposed to be active and in control. These examples portray ways of repression too.

A few days ago I was joking, I said I no longer shoot porn for women, but porn for feminists. It doesn’t matter if they are men or women or transgender or whatever they want to be. Or as Jennifer Lyon Bell from Blue Artichoke Films states on her site: “Erotic film for people who like film”. Once upon a time mainstream porn was afraid of us, but the industry is realizing we produce what people like, and that men like it too. Approximately half of the users of XConfessions are men. Men who pay to watch feminist porn, or good porn, or porn for people who love film.

Two innocent young men looking terrified amidst a crew of feminazis

Am I a man hater? Am I a feminazi, as that anonymous guy posted on YouTube? Yet I am surrounded by men I admire, men I care about, men I love. They are part of my family, my friends, my team, my universe. It’s so natural to me I don’t even stop to think about it! It is true that in my shootings I tend to gather a female crew, it is my personal project and experiment, to see what happens when you put talented women behind the camera in key positions. But I see the men that also work with us, both technicians and performers, feeling totally comfortable and happy in this environment. They are often specially happy, indeed! So I guess no, I’m not a feminazi. I am a woman who is constantly seduced by open-minded feminist men, and feminist men are also my audience.

The post THE FEMINIST MEN appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

At Lust Cinema we are “slaves” to our audience, so lately we’ve been debuting a couple of BDSM films in the midst of the Fifty Shades of Grey fever. Not all of them are the same: some are more accurate transmitting this lifestyle, some are more fictitious and similar to the bestseller, but all of them are explicit and transgressive. This week Lust Cinema is bringing you one of the most anticipated titles!

Of course New Sensations studios were not going to stay on the sidelines of the trend, and they’ve delivered two of the hottest and most successful explicit films on DOM/SUB relationships, starring Penny Pax in the role of Emma Marx. The award-winning director and writer Jacky St James brings you the second installment: The Submission of Emma Marx Vol.2: Boundaries, where the protagonist is pushed to the limit both in bed and sentimentally.

Jacky St James has not only made a sequel far beyond that of The Submissions of Emma Marx, but also created a movie that is erotic, beautiful and full of kink in every aspect of art direction and cinematography. If there is something distinctive about the New Sensations films, it is precisely their remarkable production values, and the acting skills of their performers.

The film invites us to explore Emma and Mr Frederick´s changing BDSM relationship. The actors are paired together perfectly, with Penny Pax giving Emma a true sense of vulnerability whilst Richie Calhoun makes Christian Grey look like a ranging sociopath with his Mr Frederick.

Watch The Submission of Emma Marx vol.2: Boundaries at Lust Cinema NOW! Or you can buy the digital download at my Lust Store! Have fun!

The post NEW TO LUST CINEMA: THE SUBMISSION OF EMMA MARX VOL.2: Boundaries appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

Have you ever wondered what cave men or the Victorians were using to get off? Well wonder no more as I have done a little research for you, as without these old fashioned (and quite uncomfortable looking!) devices, we wouldn´t have any of the fabulous toys in my Lust Store today! So take a walk through time with me…

Prehistoric

Back in my home country, Swedish archeologists stumbled across this phallic artifact made from antler bone. Over 6,000 years old, the twelve by two centimeter object is thought to have had many uses, but just like today, the pleasure seekers among cave men probably would have been able to see its penile similarities.

So in the theme of going back to basics, why not try our Classic Silicone Dildo.

Ancient Japan

The Japanese are thought to be the ones who invented the ben-wa-balls back in 500 A.D. used by women for increased sexual pleasure. You can grab the modern version in our store with the Luna Noir Kengel Beads.

Victorian Era

The Victorians were notorious for their sexual abstinence. So in an attempt to cure female “hysteria”, George Taylor M.D. invented the steam powered vibrator. Ironically this benefited women a lot! As we now have some of the best vibrators around like Lelo’s Elise 2 Classic Vibe.

20th Century

In 1902 blender manufacturer Hamilton Bleach created the electric vibrator with electricity becoming widely available in homes. Also, during this century, manufacturers made huge advances in silicone in the 1950s making for some much more pleasurable devices. This of course lead to the first sex toys being used in early porn films.

Nowadays we have vibrators of all shapes, colors and materials, one of our most popular is the Lelo’s Iris Classic Vibe.

The 1900s also saw the emergence of the cock ring in Japan made from steel, leather or rubber. Above is a collection of sexual aids by Arita Drug and Rubber Good Company from 1930 to 1935.

Now cock rings can come with added vibration. You can find the Lelo Tor 2 Vibrating Cockring in the Lust Store.

21st Century

All hail the Rampant Rabbit! With Sex in the City debuting the Orgasmic Rabbit, everyone was after some bunny action. You can pick up the legendary vibe in my store.

So are you feeling inspired? Make history and buy a sex toy today! The Lust Store is waiting!

The post SEX TOYS: A SHORT HISTORY appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

Where do we draw the line between what is OK in porn and what is going too far? Is everything permitted in sex? Where do we stop?

Some months back I read an article by Danish journalist Emma Holten. In 2011, naked pictures of her younger self, were stolen and published online. Without her knowledge, she was sexualized and harassed for months after they surfaced. Mainly by men.

She, as many other women who have been victims of the same crime, was not ashamed of her body, neither of her sexuality. She took those pictures for a reason: she looked pretty damn good naked and she felt proud about it! But she never intended to be thrown into the porn industry against her will.

There’s a skewed mentality in some parts of the online community, where the lack of consent in shared erotic content turns men on. Thus, dehumanizing and objectifying women. The message is that women’s wishes and will are insignificant, that information about their bodies and sexualities is available and there is nothing they can do about it, they’re helpless, they don’t matter.

There is nothing wrong with sex, nothing is off limits. The same goes for erotic films. In my movies I portray sex in its natural form. I portray the fun and curiosity between couples looking to satisfy each other and themselves by experiment together. The women in my films are real women, with rich backgrounds and characters. They are in charge, they do what they want and nothing further.

Julia Roca in XConfessions Volume 4

I am guided by an important motto that everyone involved in this industry should follow: CONSENT IS KEY.

Consent is the power we have over the content we generate, on our image, on our bodies. More women than we know are invaded and violated in this way. When there’s no consent, there’s no power. We must be careful, smart and above all, know that there is nothing wrong with our bodies, nor with a healthy sexuality, even to take photos or videos to share with whoever we want.

Artwork © Cecilie Bødker and Emma Holten

The limits we set on ourselves are ours to set, not anyone else’s. Emma Holten realized that part of the abuse she received for years because of these photos, was not in her apparent nudity, or in its sexualization, but in the fact that she was a victim. So, she decided to change it. In 2014, she participated in a nude photo shoot by photographer Cecilie Bødker and published the pictures online. In them, it’s shown a strong woman, determined, who is not a victim. Her body still looks pretty damn good, and as expected, she didn’t get half of notoriety or harassment by Internet sickos as she did before. She regained control.

The post IT´S ALL ABOUT CONSENT appeared first on ERIKA LUST.

This week we have a new release with group sex in it! Whoo Hoo! I know a lot of my followers do love orgies. Maybe because it’s a common fantasy or maybe because it’s something more unusual. Well, shooting orgies is difficult, but the result is worth it. Also from a sculptural point of view: the image of twisted and tangled bodies is a very beautiful one.

I picked this Spanish confession because it inspired the idea of an orgy occurring unexpectedly among a group of young friends – it had something real. It also involved relations between men, and before picking this confession we had counted 7 different accounts of women who wanted to be engaged in a threesome with two men, but they wanted to see the men having intercourse as well.

This kind of threesome is quite unusual in mainstream porn, where men don’t dare touch each other. I guess it is because we assume that the target, the average straight male porn watcher, won’t be excited by such an image. Well, apparently the ladies are much more open to all sorts of combinations… At least the submitters of confessions anyway! Pansexuals represented the perfect occasion to bring the audience what they’d been asking for, which is the whole point of XC! You can find the English translation of the confession below.

Since Pansexuals is about a new generation open-minded enough to go to bed with whoever they feel like, I decided to make an experiment and give them a voice to explain their choices. I think that the honest documentary take creates a more real and exciting feel when you see the sex afterwards.

For this short I’ve been surrounded by amazing artists. The music you will hear is by Barcelona-based band MONSIEUR CACTUS, whilst the mural art was the intervention of renowned artist CANE in Mutuo Art Center, where this film was shot.

Watch Pansexuals NOW!

PANSEXUALS
​BY PANSEXFOREVEEER

My name is Mary, I live in Berlin, and I enjoy fucking almost any moving thing. My name is John, I am the boyfriend of Mary and also of Alex. My name is Teresa and I am friends with John, Mary, Alex, and I’ve just arrived in the city. My name is Alex, and I can not live without my friends, I like their bodies, I like the way they think and I like how they make me feel. We love each other.

Teresa loves Mary. Mary and Teresa want to see Alex and John kissing, fucking, touching each other. Alex and John do not suspect that Mary and Teresa know this game well. They are good poker players and they are even better at sex. They have decided that today they will win. But above all, Alex and John do not suspect who the jackpot will be… them.

PS. Check Amber Nevada’s interview in Vimeo! (Spanish)

The post NEW IN XCONFESSIONS: PANSEXUALS appeared first on ERIKA LUST.