Erika Lust's Blog, page 3

September 23, 2011

New Cabaret Desire trailer!







I'm glad to present you the brand new trailer video for my upcoming film Cabaret Desire to be released mid-October.

Can't wait to get your feedback!

www.cabaretdesire.com


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Published on September 23, 2011 07:34

September 20, 2011

Turned-On Women







Maybe you've already heard about Nicole Deadone, author of Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm. She is also the founder of OneTaste, a company that offers training in orgasm, communication, and man-woman relationships through online media and in-person coaching and courses. The practice at the heart of her work is called OM or Orgasmic Meditation.



As she explains at this TED intervention that orgasm is crucial to a healthy life both for women and men, and that the words "frigid" or "anorgasmic" are simply wrong. All women who have trouble reaching orgasm suffer from a cultural problem, not a biological one, caused by circumstancial aspects: too much work, too much food, diet, social pressure, anxiety… And many women have come to Nicole and asked for a way to fulfill this hunger that can't quite get rid of.


Sex and orgasm shouldn't be a cliché, but a way to know yourself better and enjoy your birth right to pleasure.


I suggest you watch this TED video, very interesting. You may also check out the TOW's website.



The following is a part of the TOW manifesto:


A turned-on woman rewrites the playbook when it comes to sex. She knows that sex is not an indulgence; it is literally her source of power. She would never use it to barter for something else she wants, for a turned-on woman knows that sex is the gateway to the only thing she truly wants. She knows that if she doesn't want sex, it's because she's not having the right kind of sex. A turned-on woman wants sex that creates energy rather than depletes it. She seeks the slow burn, the kind of sex that heats her up from the inside out, stoking her fire and powering her journey.


A turned-on woman does not feel the need to dress sex up so it looks one way or another. She does not perform, embellish, or supplement. Instead she stays present, opens herself to the experience, and feels her way. She experiences what is there and asks for what she desires.


A turned-on woman wants a partner who is willing and able to have this kind of sex with her. More than that, she wants a partner who desires this same kind of sex for themselves. Generative sex; sex that begets more turn-on, more awakening, and more sex. Sex that ignites; that lights up the power grid. The turned-on woman knows that she is the live wire.


via Belfast Telegraph Woman

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Published on September 20, 2011 10:19

September 15, 2011

Hot or smart







This week I've been hearing about the "Allergic to Algebra" female t-shirt debacle by fashion brand Forever 21. The t-shirt was quickly shared on the Internet, as well as the post-it message someone had put on it saying: "Smart girls are cool, don't buy that top." A vigorous debate then took place and the t-shirt was pulled out from the market.



It's so sad that girls still apparently can't be smart AND hot at the same time. The media floods our screen with stereotyped "geek girls", the ones who spend their days at the library and don't know how to dress or make up, and the "cheerleading girls", who are dumb but damn they're hot…


It's become very difficult for teenage girls to actually get a good self-esteem when they're obliged by social pressure to choose between two images. All girls want boys to think they're hot, but do they need to sacrifice their intellect for that?


On Jezebel, Margaret Hartmann cleverly explains: "You know, because ladies can't be smart and pretty, and the best way to show boys that you're focused on being hot is to giggle and refuse to apply yourself in class." She also pointed out this other very good example, the "I'm too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me" t-shirt.



That's how later we get adult women who could have gone to college, who could have believed in themselves enough to pursue the carreer they wanted, but who are stuck in the "secretary role", who work to serve both clever and hot executive men. Ironic?


You might think "it's just a t-shirt", but it actually shows very well the whole situation, and I think it would be much better to focus on positive messages that motivate our teenage girls to achieve more than they're told by society.

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Published on September 15, 2011 11:57

September 13, 2011

Four minutes into Cabaret Desire







Today I'm bringing you the official teaser video for my new film Cabaret Desire, in case you haven't already watched it on my facebook page.


I hope you like it! The movie is being edited right now, it will be out in October… Don't forget you can already pre-order it on Lust Store.


Can't wait for your feedback!


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Published on September 13, 2011 09:24

September 8, 2011

The princess, the knight, and the feminist







An article by Joseph Szilagyi triggered my attention this morning.


He said that as a man, he was confused by the contradicting codes of today's social behaviour. Being a feminist means equality of sex, and holding on to your principles in your everyday life, although it might go against habits we all have been taught such as men having to hold the door for women and other acts of "chivalry". I totally understand Joseph's problem.


We can't be feminist and still hope to be given these gender privileges. But we live in a time when these principles are all mixed up together, and when a man can still, wrongfully, be judged as a jerk for not opening the door, or as a sexist for doing so!



Joseph says "Wilkins' observation presents a transition that some young women today are unwilling to make. Television and other media have engraved in these women a way of thinking that refuses to admit that chivalrous behavior is in any way detrimental to women as a whole.


But the action of pulling out a chair or opening a door for a woman is based purely on sex and, therefore, when a man does this he is being sexist. Men are behaving a certain way because they have learned this is what they "should" do for a woman.


The feeling of being treated like a princess that some women demand is pushing the current wave of feminism a step back and is inhibiting further progression. It would be hypocritical for a woman to label herself a devout feminist if she believed this way. Sexist behavior is never endorsed by true feminists."


He defines himself as a semi-feminist, but I think it's not the right definition. You can hold the door for a woman, as she can do for you, politeness and kindness doesn't diminish your "level of feminism". Husbands should open the door for their wife, and wives should open the door for their husband!


What do YOU think?

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Published on September 08, 2011 11:30

September 6, 2011

You can't be what you can't see







Today I bring you two trailers for two great documentary initiatives, one about the misrepresentation of women and their sexuality in society, and one about the value of Sex Ed.


So first, Miss Representation, a documentary by Actor and Filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom. A mix of statistics, facts, testimonials, and proof that women are still judged for their body and no their mind.


"Women are never the protagonists. If they are the protagonist, it's some drama about getting the guy or something. It's never really about finding your destiny or whatever the way they say for the guys. Like in Star Trek, it's like this is your destiny—being powerful, being the captain—but if it were a girl, they wouldn't say that. And what's weird about it is that it seems normal for us.  We don't question it, we don't say, 'Why isn't a girl the protagonist or why isn't a girl powerful?'"



I also want to talk about this film by James Houston: "Let's Talk About Sex"


"The film's director James Houston, an Australian fashion photographer now based in New York, tries to make sense of our contradicting attitudes about sex and sexuality by talking to the people they most affect: teens and their families. The film's groundbreaking research includes testimony from experts and an examination of how other nations have succeeded at protecting adolescent sexual health where the U.S. is failing. A winner of the Youth Award at the Mostra de Ciencia e Cinema Festival and an official selection of the Provincetown International Film Festival, LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX challenges the viewer to take on this often uncomfortable subject and help protect the future of our young people."


The website also features a "Resources for Youth" section, and stats such as this one: "Every day, 2.400 American teens become pregnant". Well, that gives you perspective…



We definitely more projects like these two, to make people understand sexuality is not all figured out in our society.

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Published on September 06, 2011 09:39

September 2, 2011

Erotic Friday







Because it's Friday, although there is no need for excuses, here's a glimpse of eroticism so we all enjoy our day…


Erotic Amusement



Old Erotic Art



Sex is not the enemy



Stella Madmoiselle



#Porn Alert



Deviant Female



Plume Coquine



Rêveries de Nuit


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Published on September 02, 2011 08:22

August 30, 2011

No Money No Honey







Some things amaze me, like Catherine Hakim's new book "Honey Money: the Power of Erotic Capital". Believe it or not, it basically says that women's look is more important than a college degree, and that they should use their appearance to get what they want.


There's already great reviews about this "book" that I totally agree with so I'm not going to repeat their arguments: Elisabeth Day on the Guardian, or Jezebel's 3 reasons why erotic capital is bullshit.


Sadly, it is true that many times attractive people get money and jobs more easily than others, but it doesn't mean we have to condone this behaviour and encourage young people to be this way!


Under the pretext of wanting to update old-fashioned feminist principles, Hakims goes back to ill-conceived ideas about women in society. Feminism is often seen as a group of ugly women trying to compensate for not being wanted by men, and Hakim in some way tries to reclaim these female attributes and female beauty. I'm all in favour of female beauty, but we never lost our attributes, we just want to be judged on something else than cupsize!


Hakim is another victim of generalization (via statistics and stereotypes) and standard beauty which only makes you emptier and dumber. Basing your arguments on pre-conceived ideas is not the way to make anything better, but only a way to spread false clichés through generations.


What do YOU think?


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Published on August 30, 2011 11:01

August 25, 2011

Men are all the same







Today I saw this interesting article on French site AuFeminin and I thought it was worth mentioning here!


Being a feminist or making porn with a female perspective doesn't mean we think women are better than men, nor that we should ignore men's feelings because they're some kind of sex beasts always on the go. Well, men also suffer from these bi-gender stereotypes spread by porn and the media in general. Men can feel inadequate because they don't fit the muscly manly fireman style nor the "performance" they may see in mainstream porn. Many actually feel disatisfied with regular adult films because they don't fit there lifestyle, the women they have sex with…


In the article they made a list of clichés about male sexuality.


- Men always want to have sex. It's true that we tend to think that guys are always in the mood for sex, and we might even take it the wrong way if one day we're told "I don't feel like it right now". Well don't worry when that happens. They just need some time off sometimes, like any human being.


- Men never fake. We tend to think that because we believe ejaculation equals orgasm, but apparently it's not true so you may also take a second to ask your man if he really enjoyed it, as he should ask you.


- Men couldn't care less about foreplay. Of course every man is different, but it's wrong to think that since he's a man, he doesn't need foreplay or that he does it only for you. As any person they also need arousing to enjoy good sex.


- A momentary erectile dysfunction can only be caused by a lack of desire. Well that's simply not true. Apart from the alcohol intake, the are also factors such as stress, worries, tiredness…


- Men only like women with a perfect body. We women sometimes think we need to have the "perfect" body to get the guys attention, but you'd be surprised. There is no perfect body and men love all kinds of shapes.


- Men are all the same. Some people try to convince us that feminists battle to show how men are all sex maniacs without feelings. Just look around and think about your partners and you'll see all men and all women are different.


Standard sexuality doesn't exist.


If you've already felt bad about these clichés don't hesitate to comment!


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Published on August 25, 2011 11:18

August 23, 2011

Night of Lust







The shop Good Vibrations from San Francisco is now organizing its annual Independent Erotic Film Festival (IXFF) – Five nights of diverse sexy cinema at different venues throughout San Francisco, culminating in the international short film competition and party at the historic Castro Theatre on September 22nd. My latest short film Room 33 is included in the competition… fingers crossed!


"Good Vibrations has been a sex positive, education-based sexuality resource for over thirty years.  The Good Vibrations Independent Erotic Film Festival offers an alternate forum for a broader exploration of "erotic cinema" beyond mainstream media.  Independent filmmakers from around the world weigh in with their entertaining and provocative short pieces, challenging and celebrating sex as we may or may not know it."


On September 18th, I'm happy to inform you that there will be an exclusive Night of Lust: Sexy Euro Cinema, featuring all my erotic short films. 7:30 pm at Roxie Cinema!


"Sensual film lovers rejoice!  Mark the calendar for a very special date night featuring an evening of artistic porn and erotica from one of Europe's hottest filmmakers.  Enjoy a collection of lush, sensual and artistic erotic shorts portraying authentic female pleasure in a variety of sexy scenarios.  Heterosexual focus."


More info here!


Thx to the festival for this great opportunity and I hope you'll all enjoy your night!


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Published on August 23, 2011 12:12