A few years ago, I discussed the very subtle difference between Queer Adult Films, and Queer “Adult” Films. Feel free to check it out HERE real quick if you missed that breakdown.
Back already? Or perhaps you didn’t check it out because you knew I’d recap it for you anyways. Well, you’re right – I will! But that’s not because I didn’t trust you to check out the other post. You see, the difference is subtle yet also quite simple. Basically, the variance is whether IMDb required the Adult genre to be added to the film – or not!
So let’s quickly recap how IMDb defines their adult film genre. IMDb requires the Adult genre to be added whenever a film contains “explicit works of consenting hardcore sex or sexual activity, or strong fetish material involving adults, specifically those created for the purposes of titillation or arousal. Must be used with the plot keywords of ‘hardcore’ and ‘sex’ or ‘special-sexual-interest’. Subjective.”
In general, the five queer films I’ve included in this month’s post most certainly SHOULD be labeled as an Adult film. Every single queer film below includes multiple scenes of not only gratuitous full-frontal nudity, but they all include scenes of un-simulated sex. Even by a liberal viewpoint, there are multiple moments in each film that blur the line between a film and pornography. In fact, watching most of these films with anyone else can be rather awkward.
Except all five of these films have slipped under the radar of IMDb’s censors. None of these 5 Queer “Adult” Films are actually labeled as such, even though they should according to IMDb’s own requirements!
Now, it’s important to note that these films are also not completely about the sex either. Each of these 5 queer “adult” films STILL have a storyline. Well, much more of a storyline than you typically get in a porn film! These aren’t films that you watch when you want to discover an interesting plot. However the storyline is important, especially as it’s part of what keeps these films separate from pure porn films.
But enough rambling about the subtleties between a queer adult film and a queer “adult” film. Let’s get to the good stuff! Check out each of these 5 Queer “Adult” Films below. And don’t forget to let me know what you think in the comments at the end.
5 Queer “Adult” Films
1
“Numerous New York City dwellers come to the exclusive club Shortbus to work out problems in their sexual relationships. Rob and Sophia are a happily married couple, except for the fact that she has never experienced sexual climax. This irony follows her to work because she is a couples counselor who frequently has to deal with the sexual issues other couples have. Two of her patients are Jamie and James, a gay couple who have been monogamous for five years and counting. James wants to bring other men in to the relationship, and his own history with depression may hint at an ulterior motive. Ceth (pronounced Seth) may be the perfect addition to their family, but Caleb, a voyeur from across the street, may have his own ideas about that. Sophia visits Severin, a dominatrix with secrets of her own to reveal.”
If you are not aware of this 2006 queer film that shook the film industry, then you likely were too young or not born yet. And boy did it make it make a stir! Noted as the first mainstream film to show un-simulated sexual actions on the screen, initial reviews were mixed. Some loved the edgy & raw dive into human sexuality and interactions. Yet others protested and labeled it as pornography. In fact, you cannot stream this video on Prime Video because Amazon BANNED it after it was submitted five separate times! (Ok, “technically” it is on Prime but only because of agreements with other streaming services…) However as we approach the twenty year mark since “Shortbus” premiered, this queer film remains a one-of-a-kind experience. While I will leave it up to you to determine your thoughts on this film, I strongly encourage everyone to give it a watch. After all, you’ve got to get on [the bus] to get off!
Watch Shortbus on Amazon, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Plex, and YouTube.
“Inspired by the Baader-Meinhof gang, a film about modern left Germans adopting the culture of extreme left-wing movements of the 1970s. East German dominatrix Gudrun leads a revolutionary gang of her own in Berlin. She has her men kidnap the son of a rich businessman in order to gain publicity. Claiming that heterosexuality is a social norm created to keep the people down, she forces her male minions to have sex with each other.”
I can’t quite recall when or how I first discovered “The Raspberry Reich” but I was captivated. This erotic satire of the German RAF from Bruce Labruce is a film that you cannot forget after watching! Part erotica and part political commentary, this film juxtoposes those two elements against each other in order to push the agenda that everyone is bisexual. And that if everyone were to unleash their repressed same-sex attractions, the world would explode from the resulting sexual liberation! Ok, so the political satire angle is a bit out there – but hey, the sex scenes worked into the homosexual revolution are worth watching! Which is a positive aspect of the film, because they clearly cast adult film actors rather than actual actors; the acting is cringeworthy at times. It also has quite a wicked soundtrack! If you’re able to find a copy of this erotic political satire, give it a watch!
Watch The Raspberry Reich on Amazon.
“Frank Ripploh is a rascal: he is a shaggy-haired, bearded teacher who is gay and has a very active sex life plus an interest in making films. He keeps his personal life separate from his personal life, though sometimes he corrects student papers in public toilets as he waits to score. He cruises constantly. One evening, he meets Bernd and they become lovers. Bernd is attentive and caring, but Frank gets bored with him and continues his polymorphous perverse ways. How long will Bernd and Frank tolerate each other’s habits, and how long can Frank keep his sexual orientation outside of the classroom? Things “come to a head” (no pun intended) during Berlin’s annual Queen’s Ball and the morning after.”
Thoughts?
“In a middle class neighborhood in a city in the countryside of Brazil, the real estate speculation is a menace to the affective memory of a group of friends. Their answer to this imminent transformation is to fuck in the construction sites. And what about love? Is love just a construction?”
When someone mentions “the story” in a pornographic movie, most of us will laugh because rarely is it actually a story. However, while “Nova Dubai” shows just about everything when it comes to gay sex, the story is both there – and not there. The best way to describe this queer film is that it’s an art film. It’s gritty, raw, sexual, and dark at times. Yet I found myself captivated and unable to look away. Not because it was entertaining, nor because it was horrible. Unfortunately it’s not an easy queer film to find anywhere, but it’s worth watching if you happen to find a copy. And the main reason is because it is so unique that it’s something you have to experience – even if you hate it.
Unfortunately Nova Dubai is not available to buy or watch anywhere.
“Reminiscent of Sunset Boulevard, Hustler White transposes the action from the silver screen’s old movie backlots to contemporary male prostitution and the porn industry. Said to be an homage to classic Hollywood cinema.”
The synopsis for “Hustler White” notes it’s reminiscent of Sunset Boulevard – which is actually rather true. This queer “adult” film follows the story of prostitute Tony as he navigates not only the world of hustler in L.A. but gets entangled in robbery and a hit-and-run. Juxtaposing against the world of hustling is the prissy writer, Jürgen, who spies Tony and becomes obsessed with him. Together, they dive further into the world of hustling, as Tony spills all the details with Jürgen – until suddenly Tony finds himself facedown in the jacuzzi! From here, this unique film actually turns into a romance which is where it deviates from the noted Sunset Boulevard troupes.
Now, is this queer “adult” film good? Nope. The editing is harsh with bright and flashy cards that cut in between scenes. And yes, this film treads the line between film and pornography with not only the full frontal nudity but the un-simulated hardcore sex scenes. A few are quite kinky and extreme, which might be off-putting even for those who don’t mind the sex scenes. However, unlike a pornography film, there actually is a storyline woven into “Hustler White”. It’s flimsy, but it still draws you in and wanting to keep watching. So give it a watch!
So what did you think about these 5 Queer “Adult” Films that I’ve chosen? Hopefully you’ve learned why I’ve compiled these films together, even though they don’t directly share the same genre. And if you’re seen even one of them, you’ll full understand why they are “adult” films!
If you’ve seen one of these 5 Queer “Adult” films, then let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
(Remember that you can Pin your favorite queer “adult” films to your Pinterest boards for later!)
But remember that are other queer “adult” films out there. They’re just difficult to find because they aren’t always labeled as such. But feel free to peruse through my Queer Film, Short, & Series Database to find some more.
And if you feel like I’ve missed a film that belongs on this list of queer “adult” films, let me know HERE. I will certainly add it to my Database – and perhaps give it a full review.
