• Film
  • In porn we trust

Film

In porn we trust

In just 10 years, the Pornfilmfestival Berlin has gone from provocative upstart to established city tradition, penetrating sexuality from all angles. At Kino Moviemento from Oct 21-25, prepare to be amazed, amused and, of course, aroused.

Image for In porn we trust
Like Cattle Towards Glow

Ten years ago, film producer and international underground film ambassador Jürgen Brüning started the Pornfilmfestival Berlin. Now, the once-upstart fest is a city institution and annual phenomenon.

Despite the name it’s not all wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am – the basic criterion is films dealing with sexuality head-on, whether that means getting head or talking heads. What’s in store for the big anniversary? The opening film, Maike Brochhaus’ Schnick Schnack Schnuck, is an explicit sex comedy and throwback to the pornos of yore that will surely awaken something in everyone, young and old.

Also bound to strike a universal chord is the retro presentation of 40-year-old cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, practically tailor-made for this fest – expect more raunch in the aisles than onscreen.

Meanwhile, Berlin staple Bruce LaBruce’s tale of sex in Hollywood, Hustler White, turns 20 and will make a return along with the director himself. The equally legendary Dennis Cooper is set to present his debut film (made with Zac Farley) Like Cattle Towards Glow, which is just as gripping and disturbing as his books.

One of the more intriguing foci this year is “Sex and Disability”, including moving two-parter Die Menschenliebe that highlights the stories of one able-bodied man with stunted intellectual capacity and one physically-disabled man with a sharp sense of what fate has dealt him. Alongside that is Berlinale critical darling Dora starring stage animal Lars Eidinger.

As with previous years, over half the films come from women. Joanna Coates’ sombre English romp Hide and Seek, for example, tries to imagine different sexual futures for its young protagonists.

And let’s not forget the coterie of workshops, lectures, discussions and parties. Can’t catch it all yourself? Exberliner will be on-hand to blog the event from the centre of the orgy.

10. PORNFILMFESTIVAL BERLIN, Oct 21-25 | Kino Moviemento, Kottbusser Damm 22, Kreuzberg, U-Bhf Schönleinstr. Full programme at www.pornfilmfestivalberlin.de