Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: Erotic Films Seduce Venice

by

Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: Erotic Films Seduce Venice

As a seasoned film enthusiast with a soft spot for thought-provoking cinema, I find myself captivated by the innovative approach these directors are taking towards depicting sex and sexuality in their works. It’s refreshing to see such diverse perspectives on a topic that is often shrouded in mystery or sensationalism.

This year’s Venice Film Festival showcases a revitalized charm in Venice, as an array of provocative films – encompassing diverse orientations, unconventional themes, and intricate storylines – are proudly presented. The content is both stimulating and tastefully explicit, with a majority of the scenes serving a purpose rather than being excessively suggestive.

Two standout festival favorites this year are “Babygirl,” directed by Halina Reijn, and Alfonso Cuarón’s TV series “Disclaimer.” Both begin with explicit sexual scenes, while “Babygirl” also concludes with a climactic scene featuring Nicole Kidman, who portrays a tech manager exploring BDSM, in various states of undress for much of the film.

The film titled “Queer,” directed by Luca Guadagnino of Call Me By Your Name fame, is an adaptation from William S. Burroughs’ autobiographical novel. It tells the story of a drug-addicted American expat in Mexico during the 1950s, portrayed by Daniel Craig, who develops an obsession with and pursues a younger, bi-curious navy sailor, played by Drew Starkey. In essence, Guadagnino continues his quest to revitalize sensual cinema with this production.

As a gamer diving into the fascinating world of films, I’ve discovered two intriguing narratives that offer unique insights into human relationships and societal expectations.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Reijn expressed that as a viewer, there are times when one desires to watch an engaging film with intimate moments. Regarding the explicit content in ‘Babygirl’, he mentioned that it features attractive actors in sensual scenes which provoke a slight sense of excitement.

Starkey comments, “Indeed, it seems this year’s festival will be quite warm. I can’t wait for it!”

Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: Erotic Films Seduce Venice

Although these films exhibit explicit sexual content, they differ significantly from the erotic movies of past decades that aimed to shock or break taboos, such as ‘Last Tango in Paris’, ‘The Night Porter’, or ‘Don’t Look Now’. Today, with the advent of Pornhub in 2007, it can be assumed that all sexual taboos have been shattered. Unlike the erotic thrillers from the late ’80s and early ’90s like ‘Dressed to Kill’, ‘Basic Instinct’, ‘Fatal Attraction’, or ‘Body of Evidence’, these new sexy films are not a mix of sensual allurement and sexual threat, nor do they end with the leading ladies suffering retribution in the climax.

The fresh, intense movie experience is intended to be more soothing and thought-provoking. The film, titled Babygirl, incorporates aspects reminiscent of 90s erotic thrillers. In this story, Nicole Kidman portrays a CEO with a high-powered career who feels unfulfilled in her marital bedroom activities with her husband Antonio Banderas. To find fulfillment, she engages in a complex, dominance-submission relationship with her young intern, played by Harris Dickinson. This risky behavior could potentially jeopardize both her career and family life.

“Reijn remarks that the films of the ’90s, such as ‘Basic Instinct’, ‘Fatal Attraction’, ‘9 1/2 Weeks’, and ‘Indecent Proposal’ greatly inspired him. However, this film engages in dialogue with them, but it is my response – a female perspective – to those movies.”

I’ve breathed new life into the classic “Fatal Attraction” narrative, infusing it with a positive portrayal of sexuality and strong female characters. The outcome? A steamy vacation-themed suspense story that everyone can enjoy.

Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: Erotic Films Seduce Venice

As a gamer diving into Alfonso Cuarón’s “Disclaimer,” I must admit, the steamy scenes, particularly the one where the captivating MILF Catherine (Leila George) seduces Jonathan (Louis Partridge) at an Italian beach resort, might remind you of a Penthouse Forum tale. However, contrary to initial impressions, Cuarón’s purpose in using these erotic elements isn’t just about stirring up emotions. Instead, it’s part of his intricate Rashomon-esque mystery, and the true aim is unveiled only in the final episode of this seven-part journey.

In the film “Queer,” director Guadagnino doesn’t shy away from exposing flesh, and he vividly portrays the attraction between characters Lee (Craig) and Allerton (Starkey), who becomes the object of Lee’s intense erotic fascination. However, the sexual encounters in “Queer” are not primarily about physical pleasure, but rather a destructive yearning for emotional bonding and closeness that Lee is unable to attain.

“Starkley states that the discussion revolves around the love between men during the 1950s, a time when they lacked the vocabulary and definitions to express or identify their feelings,” says the speaker.

In much the same manner, the two graphic sex scenes in Bradley Corbet’s The Brutalist – currently a strong contender for Venice’s Golden Lion – do not elicit any sensual or erotic feelings, but rather serve to illustrate the profound trauma suffered by Hungarian Jewish architect László Tóth (Adrien Brody) and his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones). Having escaped Europe following World War II, they seek to begin a new life in America.

Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: Erotic Films Seduce Venice

One of the most unconventional portrayals of screen-based intimacy shown in Venice this year can be found in Love, a film from Norwegian author and director Dag Johan Haugerud, which is part of a trilogy exploring sexual behavior and societal norms. The movie revolves around extensive dialogues about sex – characters frequently discuss their sexual experiences in detail, expressing desires, concerns, and introspections – yet it avoids any visual representation of physical intimacy.

Haugerud states that he struggles with watching explicit scenes in movies as he often ponders over their purpose. He explains that people express intimacy differently and asking actors to draw from personal experiences is not feasible due to privacy concerns. As a result, they typically portray what’s termed “film sex,” which doesn’t seem authentic or realistic.

In my gaming world, the aim behind this upcoming trilogy is quite intriguing. The first installment, titled “Sex,” made a splash in Berlin with its premiere, while the third part, “Dreams,” is set to release later this year. According to Haugerud, the strategy was to create films that explore the complexities of sex without actually depicting it. Instead, we’re meant to delve into the subject through the most straightforward and honest conversations about it possible.

In Haugerud’s trilogy, the dialogues are neither enticing nor perilous. Instead, his characters openly and compassionately discuss the most personal aspects of their lives, free from apprehension or criticism. The unique aspect of these films is their practical approach towards sexuality, viewing it as a crucial, substantial part of our lives that warrants thoughtful, sincere consideration. So, let’s have an open discussion about sex, but without the unnecessary drama.

According to Haugerund, there’s a hint of idealism or utopian thinking in it, but he doesn’t find it unattainable. As a director, his aim is to inspire contemplation on such topics, and through his films, depict a vision of a society where such discussions are commonplace. He believes it can be achieved.

Read More

2024-09-03 11:55