“Oh my god, seriously?”
In the regular world of casual meetings, most people who meet me insist that not only am I the first female porn/erotic film director they’ve ever met, but the first they’ve ever even heard of. Granted, it’s true that there are very few women making identifiably different or otherwise “alternative” porn/erotic film for a viewing audience that at least includes – and in some cases actually caters to –female viewers, so it’s understandable that most people haven’t heard of the movement (yet!). But I’m relieved and pleased to see that there are now enough of us that we can have a public, academic, thoughtful discussion about our different styles, ways of working, and personal/political/creative missions. I’m certainly grateful to be invited and very curious to hear what the other guests have to say.
According to the organizer Marianna Palerm, the “Cine Y Sexo: La Mirada Feminina” film festival of female porn directors aims to:
“create a meeting point between the notable women directors of adult films and the Mexican public. The festival’s objective is to serve as a platform for the exhibition of the most representative films, while establishing a place for dialogue, debate, and reflection from different female visions of pornography, sex, and pleasure.”
The festival’s other esteemed guests are Tristan Taormino, Candida Royalle, Marit Ostberg, and Liandra Dahl.
The festival will take place in Mexico City on August 20 – 26, 2012 at the Cultural Center Tlatelolco of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Lido Cinema, operated by National Film Archives and the Ministry of Culture. This primarily Spanish-language festival includes lots of (subtitled) screenings as well as academic discourse.
During the festival, multiple films from each female director will be presented, followed by in-person public Q and A sessions with each director. In addition, three interdisciplinary panels will discuss “Pornography and Freedom of Speech,” “Appropriation of the means of representation” and “Sex fictitious or sexual education”. Jennifer will be showing clips from Matinée, Headshot, and Skin. Like. Sun.
Though their information is currently only available in Spanish, Spanish-speakers can visit the Facebook page or the event’s actual site. If by any chance you will be near the area and can come, be sure to let us know!
Facebook Event for the festival
www.ensamblehumedo.org
Update: What a wonderful event! Giant thanks to the large and enthusiastic Cine Y Sexo staff and volunteers for taking such wonderful care of us. We loved Mexico City. I shared local-specialty cricket fajitas with Liandra Dahl and Tristan Taormino, stood at the top of ancient ruins with Candida Royalle, and visited Frida Kahlo’s house together where we stood side by side and were overwhelmed with inspiration from one of the greatest woman artists in the world. I will never forget Cine Y Sexo, truly.
