9th Moon: Lubed Up Politics – Feminist Porn & Erotic Video Art (078)

Fake lesbians with long fingernails in straight porn.
Women penetrating women with dildos.
Leather, latex and bruises.
Sex with flowers.

Decades of feminist debates lie behind each of these images, from the initial movements of the self-aware groups in the 1970s, through to the heated debates in the 1980’s “Sex Wars”, to the more or less sex-positive present day. The anti-pornography movement highlighted that not only does standard heterosexual pornography reproduce existing patriarchal power relations, but that women*’s sexual culture does not harmonize with men’s allegedly genital-centered and penetrative sex-focused preferences.

Sex should fundamentally be equal, non-phallic and free from male sexuality which is often experienced as violent. The concept of female* sexuality as nurturing and harmonious clashed with lesbian sex practices involving dildo penetration, role play and BDSM. At the time of the AIDS crisis, not only did a new wave homophobia pervade society, but the citizens’ rights-oriented and assimilation seeking wing of the homosexual emancipation movement was slowly gaining the upper hand. As a result, many lesbians began to turn away from the lesbian movement. They considered the movement too homogenous, too white, too middle-class, too anti-gay and too anti-sexual. They joined queer alliances and from then on called themselves “queer” (too).

Since these movements, sex-positive activists have worked to replace PorNo with PorYes and turned the public portrayal of women*’s sexual pleasure into a form of empowerment. A broad repertoire of aesthetic strategies has been in use following this. They all share a strict rejection of sexism and discrimination, and the firm belief that the body, sex and sexuality are the driving force behind public and private resistance against a hetero-capitalistic, phallocentric system.

Feminist Porn, Queer Porn and Post Porn are pleasurable spaces for contemporary politics of the body and healthcare: they embody nothing less than intersectional feminist, trans* and queerfeminist theory and political activism. The focus lies on sexual and physical self-determination while all forms of standardized bodies, roles and fantasies are being deconstructed. A conscious approach to safer sex as well as care aspects are being discussed. It’s not just about sexual pleasure, it’s about training the political muscle and exploring what that pleasure actually implies. Instead of genitals, environment(s) are increasingly becoming the focus: Ethical Porn declares fair production conditions as one of its primary goals, Post Porn is developed collectively, Cyberfeminists expand the human body with artificial pleasure devices, Ecosexuals have sex with the natural elements, Punk Porn fucks the system. A liberated sexuality is one of the most powerful weapons that we have.

The programme consists of two documentaries and a compilation of international short films. The short film selection offers an overview of artistic porn, performance art and erotic video art: from ecosex to bondage, with intimate moments, explicit scenes and documentary distance.

The Films of the 9th Moon Programme:

Yes, We Fuck! by Antonio Centeno and Raúl de la Morena
Spain, 2015, 60 Min., Spanish with English subtitles

The documentary Yes, We Fuck! addresses sex and dis/ableism and shows that sexuality belongs to everyone. In six episodes, people with disabilities describe their experiences, imaginations,  ideas, and allow for an expanded view on human sexuality and the body. The film is also a participatory project that serves to connect different groups and collectives addressing political issues related to the body and sexuality (functional diversity, feminism, trans* feminism, LGBT*, queer, intersex, asex, fat activism, etc.).

Water Makes Us Wet – An Ecosexual Adventure by Beth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle
USA, 2017, 80 Min., English

With a poetic blend of curiosity, humor, sensuality and concern, this film chronicles the pleasures and politics of H2O from an ecosexual perspective. Travel with Annie (a former sex worker), Beth (a professor), and their dog Butch, in their E.A.R.T.H. Lab mobile unit, as they explore the role of water. Ecosexuality shifts the metaphor “Earth as Mother” to “Earth as Lover” to create a more reciprocal and empathetic relationship with the natural world. The documentary is an attempt to compassionately co-align queer perspectives and environmental action.

Lupine, my lover by Jo Pollux and Rayh Castor
Norway, 2018, 5 min. 

An ecosexual romance. This is a queered fairytale between Lupines- a polymorphic plant, simultaneously phallic and vulvic, and their human lovers.

Hello Titty by Skyler Braeden Fox
Germany, 2014, 15 min., English

Both a personal and a political film about trans* identities, queer sexualities, feminism and Skyler’s own transition process. Taking the viewer on a campy, colorful journey through his sexual adventures on his last day as a tit-bearing trans person. Dedicated to every trans* guy out there who loves or has loved his tits, and to his own recently departed pair.

Compartment by Eva Heldmann
Germany, 1990, 5 min., English

London. A racing subway. The carriages are empty. The light coming from outside whips in rhythmic, fast movements over the seats and hallways. Rubber handles rock back and forth. An eerie, arousingly moving room. A woman wrapped in black whips herself in rhythmic movements. She topples out of the picture. A voice narrates an obscene text in English, almost casually. The music – with a childlike melody – hisses, rattles and sighs.

Tribute by Max Disgrace
GB, 2017, 7 Min., English

Tribute re-imagines the idea of a lesbian cruising ground in London, in direct response to Annette Kennerley’s short film Sex Lies Religion (1993). At a time when physical spaces for dykes to freely express their sexuality in London is scarce, Tribute is a materialisation of this fantasy space in film form, enacted in the same historic cruising ground – Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington – where Kennerley shot her film decades before.

INTI SIKI – SUN ASS by Hector Acuña/Frau Diamanda
Peru, 2015, 3 Min.

An ecoqueer ritual paying homage to the ancient myth of three major volcanoes in the region of Arequipa, southern Peru: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu and their everlong ménage-à-trois.

Fluídos Sudakas by Fluidos Sudakas Collective
Germany, 2017, 19 Min., Spanish with English subtitles

A group of sudakas and non-Western folx gathered in a workshop to co-create a porn film. This dynamic allowed for actions of sexual self-knowledge, agency and tackled their frustrations with the West through actions of collective self care and defense.

Neurosex Pornoia 2 by Eric Pussyboy, Abigail Gnash
Germany, 2015, 10 Min., English

Z1021 is caught in a spiral of desperation and frustration, imprisoned in a neurologically improved society. The only release for the likes of Z1021 are neurosex codes, around which an underground society and secret underground infrastructure has developed, tempting users with extreme pleasures as well as the risks of the unknown.

Full by AORTA films
USA, 2017, 14 Min., English with English subtitles

Two hot femmes nerd out about the complex joy of fat femme sex and identity over a juicy pomegranate, and then dive enthusiastically into fucking, fisting, and ferocious orgasms. These babes are eloquent, full of desire, and are generous enough to let us in on the big secret.

Authority by Marit Östberg
Sweden/ Germany, 2009, 16 Min.

A woman is caught by a cop in the act of painting graffiti on the wall. She runs from the scene, with the cop close behind. Perhaps the police officer knows her own fate when she sets off on the chase. Perhaps she obeys to the will of the graffiti girl. Clearly, somebody needs to be punished.

Ritual and Worship by Morgana Muses
Australia, 2017, 15 Min., English with english Subtitles

A short docu-portrait about Caritia, London born, Berlin based sex positive advocate, dominant & creative of Afro-Caribbean descent who is setting up another of their BDSM workshops. An intimate documentary about their philosophy and practice.