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Porn Film Festival Vienna opens with look back at 1980s gay Berlin

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By Noah Newsroom

Thursday, 10 April 2025 9:55AM UTC

The Porn Film Festival Vienna, which starts today, is a bold exploration of body politics and sexual representation within the adult film genre. The festival, staged at venues including the Schikaneder Cinema and the AIDS Help House, aims to "radically redefine" sex on screen, aligning itself with ongoing social discussions around sex work and its intersection with the film medium.

The festival's programme features a range of films and events, delving into topics such as online sex work and the representation of diverse sexual identities. Among the highlights is the opening film Baldiga – Unlocked Heart [pictured], which takes the audience on a historical journey to Berlin in the early 1980s through the lens of photographer Jürgen Baldiga, who documented the queer scene of the time. Additionally, the French documentary Remote Sex Work examines the dynamics of online sex work on platforms like OnlyFans, honing in on contemporary practices within the industry.

The exploration of sexual diversity continues with the film If I Die, It'll Be of Joy, which addresses the often-overlooked subject of sexuality in older age. This documentary reflects the festival's commitment to showcasing a variety of experiences that challenge normative representations in porn and highlight the complexities of human sexuality.

Award-winning Swedish filmmaker Erika Lust is a significant figure featured at the festival, recognised for her contributions to feminist porn. A dedicated short film programme will present her works that explore themes of shoe fetish, tantra, and sapphic love, illustrating the festival's focus on alternative narratives in adult cinema.

In addition to film screenings, the festival will also host the Porn Gala, promising a night of glamour and celebration. An exhibition titled "Sexy Solidarities – Bodily Autonomy, Trauma and Protest" aims to provoke thought around the political implications of bodies and identities.

Participants can engage further with their own sexuality through various workshops, which include activities such as drawing genitals, practicing bondage techniques, exploring orgasmic breathing, and understanding female orgasms. These sessions are designed to encourage personal expression and exploration of one's body, further enriching the festival experience.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.schikaneder.at/kino/demnaechst - This URL supports the claim that the Schikaneder Cinema is a venue hosting pioneering events, which aligns with the Porn Film Festival Vienna's aim to challenge traditional modes of sexual representation.
https://www.shenycarts.org/she-nyc/ - Although not directly related, this URL demonstrates how festivals can influence cultural discourse through diverse programming, similar to how the Porn Film Festival Vienna explores body politics and sexual representation.
https://filmfreeway.com/viennashorts - This URL highlights the significance of film festivals in Vienna, demonstrating the city's vibrant cultural scene, which supports the context of the Porn Film Festival Vienna as part of broader discussions on film and identity.
https://noahwire.com - This is the source of the original article, providing initial context for the Porn Film Festival Vienna and its themes.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The festival is set to occur from April 10 to 14, 2025, indicating the content is currently relevant and not recycled from previous years. However, there is no specific date on the press release-like announcement, which could be slightly older if published before the April dates.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: There are no direct quotes in the narrative to verify against earlier sources.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: DerStandard is a well-established Austrian newspaper with a reputation for reliable reporting, though as an event announcement, it leans more towards press release style information without additional in-depth analysis.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative discusses a real event with plausible features such as film screenings and workshops, which aligns with typical cultural festivals.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The festival announcement appears to be current and plausible, with no apparent quotes to verify. The narrative originates from a reliable publication and outlines realistic event details.

Porn Film Festival
Sexual Representation
Body Politics