FEMINIST PORN – these two words conjure up some mixed emotions in me.
As a guy (and a pornographer by trade), I’m mentally and culturally hot-wired into the male-centric mainstream, whether I’m watching or reviewing the latest efforts of Digital Playground, Hustler Video, DDF Prod, Private, Adam & Eve and the other large companies that dominate the marketplace.
The stars of these movies are physically superior specimens – the X-rated ideal: muscular and well-hung (if male); large-bosomed and slim (if female).
Even as I approach my 50s and lean towards material featuring older women, the actresses involved in the MILF/cougar sub-genre are still doll-like caricatures of the feminine form. Thank God for plastic surgeons, eh?
And the scenarios are always geared towards men’s pleasure, leading up to the culmination of just about every sex scene, the external male ejaculation.
It’s all about the pop shot, folks.
Amateur filth isn’t much better, even if it offers more “reality” when it comes to body types and “real” sex. However, it can still fall into the same trap of the film-makers (mainly guys) aping the more professional pornos they’re used to seeing. They still lean towards focussing on what pleases male viewers and leaving female viewers out on a limb.
Sadly, the few X-rated features I’ve watched with feminist sensibilities have failed to stimulate me either. For example, Candida Royalle’s attempts to inject storylines and “love” into her 80s and 90s videos always left me cold (and soft). Maybe they appealed to chicks, but not me.
So it was gratifying when I recently came across an AUSTRALIAN production, Permission 4 Pleasure, that that not only waves its feminist banner high, but is also genuinely AROUSING.
And while there are a few “typical” XXX bodies on show, most of the actors are just regular folk of all ages and sizes. It’s refreshing…and stimulating…and Aussie!
The force behind P4P is Melbourne-based Morgana Muses, who’s referred to on the DVD box cover as “the Hitchcunt of cinema”. That made me smile.
The award-winning multi-tasker doesn’t just write, direct and produce, she’s also an enthusiastic participant in the four films, which were made from 2012-14.
“I want my films to act as a reminder to myself and others that there is no expiration date on our sexual pleasure and journey,” she states on her web site. “I hope to provide a voice and encouragement, to give ourselves permission to pursue and explore pleasure, that we are all deserving and entitled to…without shame, guilt, ridicule and judgement attached.”
P4P is an anthology consisting of four short films. First off the shelf is the humorous A Call For Help. We’re introduced to Rebecca, who’s having a frustrating time trying to get herself off. Fingers, a vibrator, a washing machine…hell, even vegies can’t help the poor gal reach that elusive climax.
In desperation, she calls a friend, but accidentally messages everyone in her book club.
Luckily, they’re so preoccupied with their own erotic encounters that they don’t give poor Bec a second thought.
This segues into several vignettes covering everything from massages and straight sex to bondage and spanking. Morgana’s vigorous escapade with a hairy mechanic is the highlight here.
These scenes lead to the film’s satisfying, hilarious conclusion, which reveals why Rebecca “accidentally” called so many people and showcases yet another handy use for the iPhone. A fap app, so to speak. Of the four, this was my favourite short, story-wise.
Duty Bound is Morgana’s personal story of her triumphant escape from the restrictions of marriage and motherhood and her rebirth, Phoenix-like, into a sexual and sensual explorer.
New Tricks is my personal favourite on the DVD. It has several scorching scenes tied together by almost-comical quotes from a 1950s “advice to wives and mothers” book. For me, the most powerful, arousing scene features four women who clearly enjoy each other’s company. There are orgasms aplenty, toe-fucking and passionate kissing. Great stuff.
Also, nice to see Morgana give a tip of the hat to the Golden Age of Porn in her solo scene when she puts on Autobiography Of A Fleaon her PC before getting busy with her fingers.
Finally, Music Box is a powerful tale about a woman (Morgana again) contemplating her former staid lifestyle while looking at an old music box. The tiny ballerina in the box morphs into well-known Aussie adult performer Zahra Stardust, who spins around a stripper’s pole, then dons a bondage mask and frigs herself to a powerful orgasm. The squirting sequence blew my mind. I mean, WOW.
I hope plenty of people get the chance to see P4P(which can be bought from permission4pleasure.com). Perhaps it will inspire more women to make their own erotica, which satisfies the needs of both genders.
Meanwhile, I eagerly look forward to seeing more of Morgana’s films. I suspect they will be provocative, sexy and, most importantly, fun.
Isn’t that what all pornos should aspire to be?
– DANN LENNARD