Description:
A bold look at the unexpected ways porn shapes our lives, with a feminist defense, drawn from Erika Lust's decades in adult filmmaking, that argues for a more ethical porn that can transform sexual politics
For more than two decades, Erika Lust has been pushing back against shame and stereotypes, building a new kind of adult cinema--one that is feminist, ethical, and deeply human. In Lust: Pleasure, Performance, Power, she tells the story of how a shy "good girl" from Sweden came to create one of the most talked-about studios in the world. She takes us behind the scenes of her films, where every detail matters: the casting, the consent talks, the way a set can feel safe, playful, and alive. We meet performers who are treated as collaborators, not objects, and glimpse the passion and chaos of making art about sex. Lust makes the provocative argument that porn is not the root of society's problems but a mirror of them. Instead of scapegoating it and missing the chance to address those problems, Erika offers pragmatic solutions for how we can develop and improve the industry. She rejects censorship and moral-panic legislation, which history shows only makes things worse, and instead points to the power of telling more complex, nuanced stories of sex and gender. While sharing openly about her experience as a director, Erika argues that pleasure is not shameful or frivolous but a basic right, and that questions of sexuality and representation are inseparable from our broader culture and politics. Raw, passionate, and inspiring, Lust is a manifesto for anyone who has ever felt ashamed of desire, as well as a reminder that telling the truth about sex can change the world.Brief description: Erika Lust is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and entrepreneur whose work has redefined erotic cinema for the 21st century. As the founder of Erika Lust Films, she has spent two decades pioneering ethical, feminist pornography that celebrates pleasure, consent, and diversity. Her films have been featured at film festivals worldwide and praised by The Guardian, The New York Times, Vogue, and Elle for their artistic and cultural impact. Erika is a TEDx speaker and a leading voice in the global conversation on sexuality, feminism, and media ethics. Born in Sweden and based in Barcelona, she continues to create provocative, visually rich work that challenges taboos and inspires dialogue about desire and human connection.
Review Quotes:
"Candid and incisive, Lust dismantles deep-seated assumptions about the interplay of female sexuality, money, and power. Erika Lust delivers a powerful rethinking of agency, respect, and who has a right to pleasure."
--Monique El-Faizy, journalist and author of the forthcoming book In This Dark Room
--Justin J. Lehmiller, PhD, senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute and author of Tell Me What You Want "Erika Lust has changed the way we see porn, sex, and kink forever--you're in for a pleasurable read."
--Reed Amber and Florence Bark, hosts of Come Curious
"If 'the porn business' is of any interest to you, this is a must-read. The message is timely and timeless: Pleasure is our birthright, rendering sex a suitable subject for art."
--Nina Hartley(R), actress, nurse, and sex educator "I am blown away. . . . This book catapults the conversations about feminism, sexuality, pornography, and womanhood further than I thought I'd see in my lifetime."
--Jessica Stoya, writer and retired performer "For the open-minded and adventurous reader, Lust's autobiographical narrative, navigating the nuance and evolution of her radical approach to porn and not shying away from the backlash against it, makes for a compelling read."
--Bruce LaBruce, filmmaker, photographer, writer, and artist "Lust is a must-read for what needs to be spotlighted much more: the nuanced female lens on porn, and on the challenges we face as women out to change the world through sex. I highly recommend this book for anyone who believes in a different, better future for human sexuality."
--Cindy Gallop, Founder & CEO, MakeLoveNotPorn "Eye-opening... formidable... an impressive and praiseworthy achievement... A keen, authoritative, and provocative hybrid of erotic discussion, memoir, and academic discourse."
--Kirkus "A perceptive mix of memoir and feminist rallying cry... A bold reclamation of the erotic as feminist playground."
--Publishers Weekly "This blend of memoir and manifesto will inspire readers to examine their assumptions about porn."
--Booklist