Premiering in theaters on Wednesday, October 20, Pleasure traces a young Swedish woman's bold pursuit of porn stardom in Los Angeles.
"I want to be the next big pornstar," declares Bella Cherry (Sofia Kappel) right from the trailer.
Ninja Thyberg's assured debut feature follows this 20-year-old from Sweden to LA, where early highs of success sour into risks and the toxic dynamics of a notorious industry.
Premiering at Cannes 2020, then Sundance and competing at Deauville's 47th American Film Festival, the 2018-shot film has earned rave reviews across the U.S.
Its unflinching look at raw realities sparked an under-18 ban during U.S. screenings. In French cinemas, it's prohibited for those under 16.
Beyond depicting sex work, director Ninja Thyberg tells 20 Minutes: "The film draws from my porn industry research, serving as a metaphor for women's oppression in patriarchal society."
Consent is a core theme: "You're asked your opinion, but how do you resist when a whole crew awaits your yes to pay their bills?" she explains.
Read also: Liza Del Sierra, The X actress who wants to establish a code of ethics in porn
Though sobering, Thyberg spots positive shifts: "There's much work ahead, but it's time for female-gaze porn—films that truly speak to women."
Still undecided? Here's the Pleasure trailer:
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