Alejandro Lorenzo experienced an intense and aesthetically rewarding selection of films curated by Jiz Lee.
June 13th 2014 was a lucky night in Helsinki. Genderqueer porn star Jiz Lee was in town as the main guest of the conscious sexuality festival Wonderlust. For the first night of the program, Jiz curated two different sessions of selected porn with the aim of both educating and entertaining.
It all came out with a positive, playful feeling, but with eagerness for discussion and challenge. It also supported the case that porn is a fully fledged film genre with all the artistic possibilities that any director may want to explore; with space for insights, aesthetics, humor, drama, social discussion, and so on.
I must say that four hours of porn in a row, even if divided in two sessions with an interval, is pretty intense, but it was still worth it. And it wasn’t good because it would give you instant satisfaction, but because it would leave a mark in your mind; it would give you things to think about, to discuss about, and even things you may want to explore and learn more about.
It was also an interesting to see the audience and their reactions. For the organizers’ delight, the audience was varied in ages and sexes. There were quite a few couples too. As I sat on a side position, where I could see the films and take a look at the public, I saw they were very engaged and curious. It was pleasant to see how after each one of the two sessions, the public participated very well with questions and comments.
Here are some highlights of the screenings. Do yourself a favor and search for the directors and performers if you want to know more about them and their work.
Jiz Lee’s CrashPad Clips Directed by Shine Louise Houston Starring Jiz Lee, Vai, Dallas, Dylan Ryan, J-Bird and guests at Jiz’s 30th Birthday Orgy
It is a good resume of the CrashPad series’ spirit and quality. The bits include both theatrically elaborated and improvised situations with a natural feeling all over, thanks to their do-it-yourself attitude. Even beyond that, there are real bed conversations about sex, and all what they are doing there. In its diversity, it is as entertaining and sexy-fun as an honest and thoughtful work.
Ageless Sex Directed by Marc Silver
Starring Libby
The real story of Libby, who “left an unhappy marriage at the age of sixty with only the clothes on her back and 20 pounds in her pocket”. Nowadays she Britain’s most popular granny porn star, a career that has brought her self-confidence and freedom. In Libby’s own words: “I felt I was too fat, too ugly. But then I realised some liked me like that and that empowered me. It’s a pity some others are not confident to hear about this, so I can’t open about it to them.”
Portraits – Emilie, 98bit
Directed by N Maxwell Lander
Starring Geena Rose, Jinxy Laroue
This is a must-see music video. Striptease dancing to electronic music, splashing neon colored painting and a dildo under black light. Aesthetically it was the most catchy and inspiring moment of the night.
This Is Love
Directed by Danny Wylde
Starring Danny Wylde
A guy records on video his masturbation and a suicidal message to the one who broke his heart. No need to tell that it was appalling but, as Jiz confessed as well, there’s something intriguingly interesting about it. Its darkness calls our attention and sticks on our mind for some reason. In addition to that, according to them, Danny Wylde is the sweetest and nicest guy who somehow comes up with thinking about these sorts of things and brings it up to the camera. This is an interesting one and something to think about.
CrashPad’s Guide to Fisting Directed by Shine Louise Houston Starring Lorelei Lee, Beretta James
Using the technique of a movie inside of a movie inside of a movie they do not only show scene after scene of fisting, they make sure to get you through the step-by-step DIY guide about fisting. ”It is possible. If you do it right, meaning slow…” It is literally a graphic “manual” with practical examples; it is sexy and it has good humor as well.
Doing it Again Directed by Tobi Hill-Meyer Starring Mo, Chelsea
A profound close up about transition after years of marriage. ”For 20 years we didn’t know. The pieces where there but we didn’t know what that could be, that a transsexual could be anyone… like your neighbor”.
One could argue if just the interview would work to tell the story, or how important was to see the explicit sexual scenes. Those questions were part of the conversations I had with people after the screening. Well, my answer is that definitely one won’t get as much of an idea of it without the witnessing. Some argued though, cinematographically speaking, that less could have been more.
Mommy Is Coming Directed by Cheryl Dunye
Starring Papí Coxxx, Lil Harlow, Maggie Tappert, and others
We saw an excerpt of the feature film (the full time is 64 minutes). The sex wasn’t really explicit, it would have worked well even if it would have been faked. In my opinion, it was a good sexy comedy more than porn. But there’s an extra chili on it and it is the ability of the story to break taboos and boundaries in a good mood. I tell no more, everyone should check it out! If I had to choose a master piece of the night, this would be it.
More info about the festival, the films, Jiz Lee and beyond, check www.wonderlust.fi and www.jizlee.com.
Photo: Jürgen Brüning, from Cheryl Dunye’s Mommy is Coming with Maggie Tapert and Papí Coxxx