Erotica: A Journey Into Female Sexuality

Passionate debates about censorship and pornography in the 1980s and 90s challenged women to wade through the pervasive landscape of male-produced porn in attempts to create a women's erotic language. Maya Gallus turns the camera onto 10 extraordinary women and their creative work to craft a frank discussion about women's erotic fantasies and sexual desires. Interviews are intercut with film scenes, photography, readings and music to create a riveting snapshot of the tension between the pleasures and dangers of representing women's sexuality. Erotica features the final interview with Story of O author Pauline Réage, American sex goddess Annie Sprinkle, porn director Candida Royalle, dominatrix Jean de Berg (aka Catherine Robbe Grillet) and young rapper Lique, among others. Outrageous at the time it was released, Erotica remains provocative and relevant today, and is a must-see for those trying to portray sexuality through the lenses of women's own desires. (Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival)