Unsimulated sex


In the film industry, unsimulated sex is the presentation of sex scenes in which actors genuinely perform the depicted sex acts, rather than simulating them. Although it is ubiquitous in films intended as pornographic, it is very uncommon in other films. At one time in the United States, such scenes were restricted by law and self-imposed industry standards such as the Motion Picture Production Code. Films showing explicit sexual activity were confined to privately distributed underground films, such as stag films or "porn loops". In the 1960s, social attitudes about sex began to shift, and sexually explicit films were decriminalized in many countries.
With movies such as Blue Movie by Andy Warhol, mainstream movies began pushing the boundaries of what was presented on screen. Notable examples include two of the eight Bedside-films and the six Zodiac-films from the 1970s, all of which were produced in Denmark and had many pornographic sex scenes, but were nevertheless considered mainstream films, all having mainstream casts and crews and premiering in mainstream cinemas. The last of these films, Agent 69 Jensen i Skyttens tegn, was made in 1978. From the end of the 1970s until the late 1990s it was rare to see hardcore scenes in mainstream cinema, but this changed with the success of Lars von Trier's The Idiots, which heralded a wave of art-house films with explicit content, such as Romance, Baise-moi, Intimacy, Vincent Gallo's The Brown Bunny, and Michael Winterbottom's 9 Songs. Some simulated sex scenes are sufficiently realistic that critics mistakenly believe they are real, such as the cunnilingus scene in the 2006 film Red Road.

Terminology

Although it is common to discuss films for which the actors had sex on set using terms such as "real sex" or "unsimulated sex", some film scholars prefer to speak of "visible sex", "explicit sex", or "hard-core sex". Linda Williams, for instance, proposes that "we eliminate the awkward term 'unsimulated sex' entirely". This is also because most film censors have predominantly focused on whether sex acts or aroused genitals are visible when deciding whether a film should be classified as pornographic or be distributed on general release. For instance, it was not uncommon for two versions of pornographic films to be released: a hardcore version subject to restrictions, and a softcore version passed at "18" level. In both cases, the actors performed sex acts on set, but they were visible only in the hardcore version. Moreover, there has been a huge blurring of the distinctions between the use of prostheses, actual genital contact between actors and genitals added in post-production. The visibility of penetration/fellatio/cunnilingus on the screen is more important to the experience of watching the film, and often to the concerns of censors and critics, than exactly what took place on set.
The idea of simulation also relates to questions about acting, unnecessarily denigrating pornography, and is too vague about what is being simulated. For instance, while an actor's penis may enter an actress's vagina on a porn set, this does not mean that each of their actions, emotions, noises, and so on, are not performed quite differently than they would be in the privacy of their own home: "it is both real—something that actually happens between people—and a fake, staged for the camera and sound equipment. Neither the directors of pornography nor the directors of hard-core art, from Warhol forward, document 'real sex' in the sense of what people do alone, in private."

Rationales

In an interview after the release of his film Love, when asked why audiences want to see realistic portrayals of sex, Gaspar Noé suggested it is about power structures: "In most societies, whether they're Western or not, people want to control the sexual behaviour or to organise it in a precise context. Sex is like a danger zone. Sometimes class barriers fall down and it scares a lot of people. It's about states controlling their systems, like religion."
James Franco has cited "aesthetics and personal reasons" for working on Interior. Leather Bar. :

Production issues

A few directors have openly discussed or written about the technical problems inherent in filming of sexual acts, particularly with actors or actresses who have never performed such acts on film. In an interview with BlackBook, Gaspar Noé acknowledges that it is difficult for several reasons: an actor may not be able to get or maintain an erection in the presence of even a small crew, or on camera; either of the participants may have a current partner. "So I've decided that the best way to show real sex is to cast two single people who used to be a couple."

Pornographic films reedited for mainstream release

Before the advent of home video, several hardcore pornography films were released to mainstream cinemas. In most cases, scenes of penetration were either cut or replaced by alternate shots. One exception to this was Deep Throat, which was released uncensored.
Examples of this type of hybrid release include Café Flesh —an edited version of this science fiction porn film was released to mainstream cinemas; Stocks and Blondes, originally available as Wanda Whips Wall Street; and Droid, originally released as Cabaret Sin in 1987.

In films

The following mainstream films have scenes with verified real sexual activity, meaning actors or actresses are filmed engaging in actual coitus or performing related sexual acts such as fellatio and cunnilingus. This list does not include documentaries about pornography, which may contain unsimulated sexual activity.
TitleYearNotesLanguage
Gift1966One of the first Danish mainstream films with explicit and unsimulated sex scenes, although key sex scenes were blocked by censors during showings at the time in the United States. The film is directed by Knud Leif Thomsen.Danish
They Call Us Misfits1968They Call Us Misfits is a Swedish documentary film, directed by Stefan Jarl and which was released to cinemas in Sweden on 25 March 1968. The film is about two young "hippies" and musicians and. This is the earliest "legal" film in Sweden to show a non-simulated sex scene.Swedish
Blue Movie1969A 1969 film by Andy Warhol – the first film depicting explicit sex to receive wide theatrical distribution in the United States – a seminal film in the Golden Age of Porn and, according to Warhol, a major influence in the making of Last Tango in Paris, an internationally controversial erotic drama film, starring Marlon Brando, and released a few years after Blue Movie was made.English
99 Women1969According to the Stephen Thrower's book Murderous Passions: The Delirious Cinema of Jesús Franco there are four different versions of this film, including the director's cut and the 1974 French hardcore version which adds just over eight minutes of hardcore material shot by Claude Sendron. Both versions are available on DVD by Another World Entertainment.English
Double Face1969There is a French hardcore version of this film by Riccardo Freda featuring actress Alice Arno.Italian
Quiet Days in Clichy1970A film by Jens Jørgen Thorsen, based on the long-banned novel by Henry Miller feature real sex scenes with full penetration.Danish, English
Groupie Girl1970Groupie Girl, directed by Derek Ford is also available in hardcore "export" version.English
The Deviates1970A film directed by Eduardo Cemano released originally as a softcore and later re-released with additional hardcore scenes involving Harry Reems.English
Bacchanale1970American film directed by John and Lem Amero, contains some hardcore inserts. Set in a dream, the film utilizes "erotic surrealism" and "dream-logic" in a mix of death, guilt, eroticism, and incest.English
Kama Sutra '711970American film, directed by Raj Devi features hardcore scenes, involving an actress Ann Perry.English
Cry Uncle!1971This film by John G. Avildsen shows unsimulated fellatio.English
Slaughter Hotel1971A film, directed by Fernando Di Leo is also released in a version featuring hardcore inserts of female genitalia and lesbian intercourse. This version circulated in France under the title Les insatisfaites poupées érotiques du docteur Hitchcock.Italian
A Lizard in a Woman's Skin1971There are three French versions of this film by Lucio Fulci: Carole, and two versions released in 1976: Le venin de la peur and the version with hardcore inserts under the title Les salopes vont en enfer.Italian
Luminous Procuress1971A film, directed by Steven F. Arnold featuring some hardcore heterosexual sex.English
Secret Rites1971British pseudo-documentary film by Derek Ford is also available in hardcore "export version".English
Pink Narcissus1971This experimental erotic art film directed by James Bidgood features unsimulated ejaculationEnglish
A Clock Work Blue1972An American film directed by Eric Jeffrey Haims available in both softcore and hardcore versions.English
Pink Flamingos1972This film by John Waters was banned in Australia in 1997. The Board unanimously noted a scene which included "close up real depictions of actual fellatio....which unambiguously contravene R classification guidelines.".English
Who Killed the Prosecutor and Why?1972There is a version of this film, directed by Giuseppe Vari made for foreign market with hardcore inserts. These scenes are available as a part of deleted scenes presented in CineKult DVD.Italian
' 1972This "psychological giallo" film by Renato Polselli had initially limited distribution. To bypass censorship and distribution problems, Polselli shot three different versions, added new footage to each print while deleted certain scenes. The "hardest" print of La verità secondo Satana features a close-up of the female orgasm.Italian
So Sweet, So Dead1972This film, directed by Roberto Bianchi Montero was released in the USA under the title Penetration with hardcore inserts.Italian
The Red Headed Corpse1972There are several versions of this film directed by, including the hardcore version.Italian
Commuter Husbands1972British film by Derek Ford exists also in a version with hardcore inserts, but there is no suggestion that any of the credited cast did hardcore scenes.English
Delirium 1972A German double DVD from 2014 entitled Das Grauen kommt nachts contains four different versions of this film by Renato Polselli, including both the Italian original version and the French hardcore version. The uncut version as the director intended it to be seen is also available in French DVD.Italian
Christina, the Devil Nun 1972Uncut version of this film, directed by Sergio Bergonzelli contains hardcore scenes.Italian
' 1973First film in the Danish Zodiac-series of mainstream-comedies, directed by Finn Karlsson with hardcore scenes.Danish
' 1973There are two versions of this film by Brunello Rondi, softcore and hardcore. According to the source, the film was never released on home-video.Italian
Thriller – A Cruel Picture1973A film by Bo Arne Vibenius containing both explicit violence and hardcore sex scenes performed by hired actors. Synapse Films released two versions of Thriller on DVD; Thriller: They Call Her One-Eye and Thriller – A Cruel Picture.Swedish
Revelations of a Psychiatrist on the World of Sexual Perversion 1973A film by Renato Polselli, shot in mondo-style containing twenty minutes of hardcore sex in the orgy scene.Italian
Fleshpot on 42nd Street1973This film, directed by Andy Milligan exists in two versions: the hardcore version titled Fleshpot on 42nd Street and the softcore version titled The Girls of 42nd Street.English
The Other Side of the Mirror 1973This film by Jess Franco exists in at least five versions, including three different softcore versions and two different hardcore versions.Spanish
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac 1973Le Journal intime d'une nymphomane was released in June 1973 in France, and then re-released in a version with hardcore inserts in 1977 under the title Les Inassouvies. There are both DVD and Blu-ray releases of the film.French
A Virgin Among the Living Dead1973A Virgin Among the Living Dead is a film by Jess Franco and exists in many hardcore and edited versions.French
The Sinful Dwarf1973A film by Eduardo Fuller. Severin Films features both the unrated US theatrical version under the re-release title The Abducted Bride and the original Danish hardcore version The Dwarf.English
Anita: Swedish Nymphet1973Swedish film, directed by Torgny Wickman was released in two versions; softcore and hardcore.Swedish
The Sex Thief1973There is also a hardcore version of this British film by Martin Campbell, although there is no suggestion that any of the credited cast did hardcore scenes.English
The Porn Brokers1973A British pseudo-documentary film by John Lindsay containing hardcore footage for export version.English
Emmanuelle1974A film, directed by Just Jaeckin contains a scene where a woman places the cigarette in her vagina and allows it to inhale and exhale the smoke.French
The Eerie Midnight Horror Show1974A film directed by Mario Gariazzo, originally released in Italy in 1974 and re-released in US as Sexorcist Devil.Italian
1974For the French version, director Alberto Cavallone shot additional hardcore scenes.Italian
' 1974Second film in the Danish Zodiac-series of mainstream-comedies, directed by with hardcore scenes.Danish
Score1974American film by Radley Metzger, based on an off-Broadway play that included Sylvester Stallone. It features a scene of unsimulated fellatio between Calvin Culver and Gerald Grant.English
Riot in a Women's Prison 1974An erotic film, directed by Brunello Rondi was released in France in a version entitled Penitencier de femmes perverses containing additional hardcore scenes added by French distributor.Italian, English
The Girls of Kamare1974A Situationist film, directed by René Viénet contains hardcore footage inserted by Viénet himself.Japanese
'1974A French film by contains a scene of fellatio. The penetration scene might or might not be real.French
Sweet Movie1974This film by Dušan Makavejev contains some non-simulated sex acts.English, French, Polish, Spanish
1974A 1974 Swedish erotic film, featuring an actress Marie Forså, shot in two versions; explicit softcore and hardcore version. DVD released both versions.Swedish
Immoral Tales1974This film, directed by Walerian Borowczyk consists of four stories, titled La marée, Thérèse philosophe, Erszébet Báthory, and Lucrezia Borgia, respectively. In the third story, there is a close up scene of vaginal pearl insertion performed by an actress Marie Forså. The German Blu-ray edition of Immoral Tales contains a film clip from Borowczyk's A Private Collection that features an unsimulated bestiality between a woman and a dog.French, Italian, Hungarian
Lorna the Exorcist1974A film, by Jess Franco exists in a number of versions, including French versions of different lengths and an Italian version with hardcore footage shot by another director/producer Robert de Nesle.French
Countess Perverse 1974A film by Jess Franco has been released in at least four variants, including: the director's cut, two French versions and one different Italian hardcore version entitled Sexy Nature. Mondo Macabro contains the original director's cut and the Les Croqueuses version under the Sexy Nature title.French
Carnal Revenge 1974At least two versions of this film by Alfredo Rizzo were released theatrically; the original version and the hardcore one 1974This film by Osvaldo Civirani was released in both softcore version and hardcore version.Italian
Nude for Satan1974A film by Luigi Batzella exists in both Original Version and Hardcore Version.Italian
' 1975Third film in the Danish Zodiac-series of mainstream-comedies, directed by with hardcore scenes.Danish
' 1975Sixth film in the Danish Bedside-series of erotic mainstream-comedies, directed by and one of the two to have hardcore scenes.Danish
The Image1975This film by Radley Metzger, based on the novel L'Image by Catherine Robbe-Grillet, features many unsimulated sex scenes including S&M, fellatio and cunnilingus.English, French
Number Two1975Numéro deux is one of Jean-Luc Godard's most sexually explicit works, mixing pornography and politics. It contains at least one non-simulated scene.French
The Teenage Prostitution Racket 1975Film, directed by Carlo Lizzani and available in many different versions, including a version with 10 minutes of additional hardcore footage, shot by Giarda; this version may be found on Italian Raro Blu-ray released in 2018.Italian
Black Emanuelle1975This film, directed by Bitto Albertini exists in both softcore and hardcore versions. Hardcore scenes were performed by body doubles. In Italy, it was released on DVD by Stormovie with the fully uncut hardcore print.Italian
Emanuelle's Revenge1975A German version of this film directed by Joe D'Amato, and titled Die Lady Mit der Pussycat contains hardcore footage featuring Brigitte Lahaie.Italian
Felicia 1975A film by Max Pécas shot as the softcore film and then following Giscardian liberation and the creation of the X classification, Pécas was "forced" to shoot the hardcore version. Both versions may be found on Italian DVD.French
But Who Raped Linda?1975There are two different versions of this film directed by Jess Franco: softcore version and hardcore French version.French
Female Vampire1975Jess Franco originally made three different versions of the film, including a straight vampire film called La comtesse noire, a horror-oriented erotic film entitled La Comtesse aux seins nus, and the hardcore version Les avaleuses. The film premiered in France under the title La Comtesse noire in May 1975.French
' 1975A film by Jess Franco. In addition to the French original version released in 1975, there is also the Italian hardcore version released in VHS.French
' 1975A film by Jess Franco exists in many different versions, including a version titled "Sexorcisme" with hardcore scenes.French, Latin
Justine and Juliette 1975A film directed by Mac Ahlberg contains hardcore scenes.Swedish
The Bloodsucker Leads the Dance1975This film, directed by Alfredo Rizzo was released in France under the title L’Insatiable Samantha. This version contains some hardcore scenes.Italian
Lips of Blood1975Director Jean Rollin shoot two versions of this film: original softcore and hardcore.French
Rêves pornos 1975Rêves pornos is essentially a compilation of scenes from erotic movies shot by Max Pécas between 1965 and 1974 with additional hardcore sequences. The scenes are taken from movies like la Nuit la plus chaude, Je suis une nymphomane, Comment le désir vient aux filles and some others from that period.French
Wham! Bam! Thank You, Spaceman!1975This film, directed by William A. Levey exists in both softcore and hardcore XXX version. The hardcore scenes were performed by body doubles.English
Breaking Point1975The third film directed by Swedish director Bo Arne Vibenius features hardcore sex scenes.English
Rolls-Royce Baby1975A film directed by Erwin C. Dietrich contains several onscreen fellatio scenes by Lina Romay.German
Girls Come First1975There is also a version of this British film, directed by Joseph McGrath with extra hardcore sequences, but it is not clear if any of the credited cast was involved in it.English
The Sexplorer1975British sex comedy film by Derek Ford has also a version with hardcore inserts for foreign markets.English
Le Sexe qui parle1975This film, directed by Claude Mulot, was the first exclusive hardcore feature film produced and released in France to meet international success, and has been called a cult film. The film was theatrically released in France in November 1975. The film is available in both hardcore version and softcore version.French
Thundercrack1975This black comedy horror film directed by Curt McDowell features several hardcore sex scenes.English
Barbed Wire Dolls1976This film by Jess Franco in its uncut version contains explicit scene of digital penetration which had to be removed from the UK DVD version by Anchor Bay in order to achieve an 18 classification.French
Emanuelle in Bangkok1976Directed by Joe D'Amato this film, in its uncut Italian DVD version, contains hardcore shots of vaginal penetration by ping pong balls.Italian
1976A film by Max Pécas exists in both original softcore version and hardcore version.French
Alice in Wonderland1976An erotic musical comedy. Kristine DeBell performed in an unsimulated lesbian sex scene with Juliet Graham. It was produced as a softcore film, but later re-edited as a hardcore pornographic film, to include footage cut during the original production, including a sequence of De Bell performing oral sex on the film's producer, Bill Osco, which was edited into the film's Mad Hatter sequence.English
' 1976Eighth and final film in the Danish Bedside-series of erotic mainstream-comedies, directed by and one of the two to have hardcore scenes, including extensive clips from the short Color Climax #1283: Mail Order Sex, watched on 8mm by the ship's crew.Danish
' 1976Fourth film in the Danish Zodiac-series of mainstream-comedies, directed by with hardcore scenes.Danish
In the Realm of the Senses1976This film, directed by Nagisa Oshima has many experimental and avant-garde elements features hardcore sex scenes, showing genitals of actors. Based on the story of Sada Abe, features fellatio and other non-simulated sexual acts.Japanese
Through the Looking Glass1976Film by Jonas Middleton with many experimental and avant-garde elements. Middleton shot three different versions of the film in order to market the film to different audiences.English
A Real Young Girl1976This film is Catherine Breillat's first feature film, shot in 1975, but banned for the next 25 years, mostly due to hardcore nature of its content. Some controversial scenes show: full frontal vagina, bodily fluids, urination and masturbation.French
Die Marquise von Sade1976A film by Jess Franco. features the hardcore director's cut and softcore version.German
Girls in the Night Traffic1976German Blu-ray Edition of this Jess Franco's film contains both softcore and hardcore version.German
The French Governess 1976A film, directed by Demofilo Fidani was released in two main versions; as Calde labbra/''Excitation and as Burning Lips – hardcore version, released on VHS.Italian
1976NoShame Films released both uncut version and cut version of this 's film.Italian
Around the World in 80 Beds 1976Film by Jess Franco available also in hardcore version. However, authenticity of the film as a "real" mondo is highly debated.German
Sex Express1976Also known as Diversions, this British film directed by Derek Ford is also available in hardcore "export" version.English
Keep It Up Downstairs1976This British film by Robert Young also exists in a version with hardcore inserts that involved body doubles for the main stars.English
Secrets of a Superstud1976Directed by Morton L Lewis and Alan Selwyn, this British film was also shot in hardcore export version, entitled It's Getting Harder All the Time.English
The Office Party1976British film, directed by David Grant, has also a hardcore export version.English
The Angel and the Woman1977This film by Gilles Carle contains some explicitly unsimulated sexual activity between its stars Carole Laure and Lewis Furey.French
' 1977Fifth film in the Danish Zodiac series of mainstream comedies, by with hardcore scenes.Danish
'1977There are at least two versions of this film by Jess Franco: explicit softcore, and hardcore.French
'1977A film by was shot originally as softcore and released in 1977. A hardcore version under the title Gli amori morbosi di una contessina was released a few years later.Italian
Blue Rita 1977There are at least two versions of this film by Jess Franco, Director's Cut and French hardcore version German
Emanuelle in America1977A film by Joe D'Amato exists in both softcore and hardcore versions.Italian
Emanuelle Around the World1977The hardcore European version of this film by Joe D'Amato, prepared for the French market contains penetration, oral sex, and bestiality scenes with a snake and a dog.Italian
Sister Emanuelle1977There is also the Danish DVD version of this film by Giuseppe Vari with hardcore sex scenes.Italian
Love Camp 271977Film by Mario Caiano, some versions of which contains hardcore inserts.Italian
Under the Bed1977British film, directed by David Grant exists in a version with hardcore footage.English
The Mark1977Greek film, directed by Ilias Mylonakos exists in both softcore version and hardcore version.English
The Ceremony1977A film directed by the prolific Greek director Omiros Efstratiadis exists in many versions, including the hardcore ones.Greek
'1977A film, directed by Jacques Robin opens with one "truly pornographic scene", while the rest of the footage is mostly simulated.French
Caligula's Hot Nights 1977Erotic comedy directed by Roberto Bianchi Montero, shot in two versions, one softcore and one hardcore.Italian
' 1978Sixth and final film in the Danish Zodiac-series of mainstream-comedies, by with hardcore scenes.Danish
Behind Convent Walls 1978The uncut version of this nunsploitation film by Walerian Borowczyk features hardcore scene of female masturbation by a wooden dildo with the face of Christ painted on one end of it; "the most graphic sexual scene in the film and what makes the film infamous".Italian
1978This film, directed by Alberto Cavallone, also exists in uncut 8mm version with hardcore material that includes fellatio and intercourse scenes.Italian
Sister of Ursula 1978The director confirmed the existence of both uncut softcore version and hardcore version of the film.Italian
The Coming of Sin 1978The film by José Ramón Larraz was originally released in two versions; international version and hardcore version. The 2019 Arrow Films Blu-ray released Larraz's original, uncensored cut for the first time.Spanish
Pleasure Shop on the Avenue 1978Erotic thriller film, directed by Joe D'Amato was originally shot as a softcore, and then at the request of the producers, some hardcore footage was added. The full hardcore version of the film can be found on the Italian DVD by Cinesexy, released in 2015.Italian
You're Driving Me Crazy1978There is a hardcore version of this film by David Grant, but it is not clear if any of the cast participated in the hardcore inserts.English
Immoral Women1979This film, directed by Walerian Borowczyk consists of three stories titled Margherita, Marceline, and Marie, respectively. In the first story, Margherita, there is an unsimulated intercourse scene.French, Italian
Caligula1979The film's producer, Bob Guccione, added six minutes of several hardcore inserts, including penetration, fellatio and ejaculation. The scenes shot by Tinto Brass are entirely softcore.English
Images in a Convent1979This film by Joe D'Amato contains many explicit sex scenes including hardcore sex in the rape scene.Italian
Play Motel1979A giallo film directed by Mario Gariazzo contains hardcore sex scenes.Italian
Giallo a Venezia1979A film by Mario Landi available in a Scorpion Releasing Blu-ray includes one hardcore insert.Italian
Malabimba - The Malicious Whore1979A nunsploitation film directed by Andrea Bianchi containing hardcore footage. The film was distributed theatrically in Italy in September 1979.Italian
Bare Behind Bars1980A women in prison film by containing some hardcore scenes. The film was released theatrically in Brazil in 1980, and later in DVD by Blue Underground.Portuguese
Beast in Space 1980Severin Films released both softcore version and hardcore version of this film by Alfonso Brescia; it is uncertain which of the versions is original.Italian
Blow Job (Soffio erotico)1980Director Alberto Cavallone stated that the film did not feature any graphic sex scenes except for one simulated scene of oral sex. This claimed was refuted by other members of the films production. A hardcore version of the film was shot with the cast featuring three uncredited performers who work with Cavallone again in his hardcore films, including Pauline Teutscher, Guya Lauri Filzi, and Hassan Jabar. The film was distributed theatrically in Italy by Distribuzione Cinematografica in May 1980.Italian, French
'1980Alberto Cavallone shot this film in both softcore and hardcore versions.Italian
Erotic Nights of the Living Dead1980In his book assistant professor Danny Shipka of Louisiana State University gave Erotic Nights of the Living Dead negative review, criticizing the acting, gore, and sex scenes, and concluding that the merging of "hardcore sex and extreme violence is disturbing".Italian
Sesso nero – Exotic Malice1980This film by Joe D'Amato is considered by authors of the book Luce Rossa. La nascita e le prime fasi del cinema pornografico in Italia as the first Italian hardcore film to be shown in Italian theatres. It is explained on the site www.mondo-digital.com why this film, like most of D'Amato's films from the period, "can't be classified as a traditional porn film".Italian
Flying Sex 1980An Italian film, directed by Marino Girolami contains hardcore sex scenes. The film was released in many European countries, including Italy and Sweden.Italian
Libidomania 2 1980A mondo film by Bruno Mattei containing hardcore scenes. According to available sources, some of these "mondo sequences" are actually sections, retrieved from other mondo films, rather than being licensed news, reportage or actuality footage.Italian
' 1980A film by Renato Polselli, according to the source "his most notorious, most offensive, most challenging film", shot in 1973 but not released theatrically until 1979/1980 due to censorship problems. The fully uncut version of the film contains both scenes of various kinds of sexual activities and scenes of strong violence/gore.Italian
'1980Uncut version of this film by Joe D'Amato contains hardcore scenes.Italian
Hotel Paradise 1980Both of softcore and hardcore versions of this film, directed by Edoardo Mulargia can be found on the Danish DVD by Another World Entertainment.Italian
Sex and Black Magic 1980This, mostly softcore film by Joe D'Amato shows one brief hardcore insert.Italian
' 1980To produce Porno Esotic Love, director Joe D'Amato juxtaposed sequences from Black Cobra Woman and Emanuelle in Bangkok with hardcore footage added.Italian
The Porno Killers 1980Uncut version of this film by Roberto Mauri contains strong scenes of violence and hardcore sex.Italian
Spetters1980This film directed by Paul Verhoeven features explicit hardcore sex scenes, including oral sex.Dutch
Taxi zum Klo1980A film directed by Frank Ripploh features hardcore gay sex scenes.German, English, French
Fruits of Passion1981This film by Shūji Terayama contains unsimulated fellatio.Cantonese, Japanese, English, French
Emmanuelle in Soho1981British film, directed by David Hughes is also available in a hardcore version with different performers, two female and one male.English
Porno Holocaust1981Assistant professor Danny Shipka of Louisiana State University gave Porno Holocaust negative review, criticizing the acting, gore, and sex scenes, and concluding that the merging of "hardcore sex and extreme violence is disturbing".Italian
Daydream1981This Japanese pink film features Japanese actress Kyōko Aizome engaging in several unsimulated sex scenes.Japanese
Caligula... The Untold Story1982The uncut European version of this film, directed by Joe D'Amato contains hardcore material of various sorts. Caligula... The Untold Story was released in Italy and in other European countries in both theaters and on home video in several different softcore and hardcore versions.Italian
Scandale1982This film by George Mihalka contains both softcore and hardcore sex scenes.French
'' 1982A film by and Sergio Bergonzelli was released in both softcore version and hardcore version.Spanish
Aphrodite1982A softcore film directed by Robert Fuest, which includes a scene showing the partial insertion of a big toe into a vagina. The film was released in French cinemas in July 1982.French
Il nano erotico1982A film directed by Alberto Cavallone, exists in two version: the softcore version titled Essere tenuto – Being Captured and the hardcore version titled Baby Sitter Italian
My Nights with Messalina 1982A Spanish erotic peplum directed by Jaime J. Puig containing both hardcore scenes and violence. It is one of the first film with hardcore sex produced in that country after the death of Francisco Franco in 1975 which led to a more relaxed censorship environment.Spanish
Luz del Fuego1982This Brazilian film, directed by David Neves tells the liberal and romantic story about the controversial Brazilian vedette Luz del Fuego. Film contains a scene in which the main actress rubbing up against the penis.Portuguese
Perdida em Sodoma1982This Brazilian film, usually translated as Lost Girl in Sodom, written and directed by Nilton Nascimento contains several hardcore scenes of fellatio and penetration.Portuguese
Killing of the Flesh 1983This giallo film, directed by Cesare Canevari was released in both softcore version and hardcore version.Italian
Satan's Baby Doll1983A film by Mario Bianchi, shoot in two versions: as an erotic horror and in hardcore version.Italian
Taking Tiger Mountain1983A film by Tom Huckabee and Kent Smith, with Bill Paxton in the main role, contains several graphic scenes, including a brief hardcore shoot of fellatio.English
Emmanuelle 41984This film, directed by Francis Leroi and Iris Letans exists in at least two versions. The Canadian VHS contains 3 hardcore scenes, including oral sex and intercourse.French
Lillian, the Perverted Virgin 1984A film by Jess Franco containing several hardcore sequences which, according to available sources were added later as an inserts just to extend the already existing sex scenes, since the film had been shot as a softcore – "low-budget" drama in the first place. The film was theatrically released in Spain in 1984 and is available via Spanish kiosk DVD.Spanish
The Alcove1985Film by Joe D'Amato contains some real sex scenes.Italian
James Joyce's Women1985This film, directed by Michael Pearce, is based on James Joyce's Ulysses and shows about twenty minutes of real, on camera masturbation by Fionnula Flanagan, the main actress.English
Devil in the Flesh1986A film by Marco Bellocchio, featuring a short scene of fellatio, during which the man tells the woman about Lenin's return to St. Petersburg in 1917.Italian
Matador1986This erotic thriller film directed by Pedro Almodóvar, features unsimulated sex in its opening sex scene with Assumpta Serna and Jesús Ruyman.Spanish
Emmanuelle 51987This film, directed by Walerian Borowczyk, exists in at least three versions. A hardcore version was only released in France on VHS and contains scenes of intercourse, oral sex, masturbation and urination.French, English
Emmanuelle 61988A hardcore version of this film by and Jean Rollin was released in France on VHS, making it about 10 minutes longer than US DVD version.French
Hotel St. Pauli1988This film by Svend Wam shows unsimulated oral sex.Norwegian, Swedish
Kindergarten1989This Argentinian film, directed by Jorge Polaco was banned for 20 years due to nude content involving minors, as well as because of a brief hardcore shot of fellatio.Spanish
Kinski Paganini1989Klaus Kinski's directorial debut. According to one reviewer: " it is really extremely bizarre, in moments brutal and almost experimental film with plenty of softcore and hardcore scenes "Italian
The Soft Kill1994The DVD version of this film, directed by Eli Cohen, features penetration.English
Xue Lian 1995A Hong Kong Category III film containing unsimulated penetration and fellatio.Cantonese
A Single Girl1995This French drama by Benoît Jacquot features brief penetration.French
La Vie de Jésus 1997"In Life of Jesus, Dumont included extreme close-ups of penetration to emphasize the animal nature of the sex act."French
Idioterne 1998This film by Lars von Trier features extremely brief penetration and group sex.Danish
L'Ennui1998A film by Cédric Kahn contains non-simulated sex scenes.French
Fiona1998This film directed by Amos Kollek features a brief oral sex scene.English
Sodomites1998The short film by Gaspar Noé is a hardcore safe-sex promo that was made for French television in the late 1990s.French
Jezus is een Palestijn 1999Dutch film containing a scene of penetration.Dutch
Romance1999Directed by Catherine Breillat, features male and female masturbation, fellatio, penetration, ejaculation, and sadomasochistic bondage.French
The Man-Eater 1999Film by Aurelio Grimaldi contains a scene of non-simulated fellatio.Italian
Guardami1999Film, directed by Davide Ferrario contains non-simulated sex scenes, including fellatio by Elisabetta Cavallotti.Italian
Vampire Strangler1999A film by William Hellfire shows non-simulated fellatio and some other hardcore scenes.English
Lies 1999Contains unsimulated intercourse, fellatio, coprophilia and S&M.Korean
Tokyo Elegy 1999Contains unsimulated intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus performed by Dutch actor Thom Hoffman and Japanese adult actress Mai Hoshino.Japanese, Dutch
Baise-moi2000Several actual sex scenes, including penetration and fellatio.French
O Fantasma2000Contains an unsimulated scene of homosexual fellatio.Portuguese
Scrapbook2000This film by Eric Stanze includes non-penetrative sex acts.English
Scarlet Diva2000Director, writer and actress Asia Argento confirmed that sex in this film was real.English, Italian, French
Intimacy2001Features fellatio.English
Le Pornographe 2001This film by Bertrand Bonello shows many hardcore sex scenes, including penetration.French
Lucía y el sexo 2001This film by Julio Medem contains several real sex scenes, including penetration and fellatio from the porn movie made by one of the film's characters as well as manual stimulation of an erect penis and cunnilingus performed by and on another film's character.Spanish, English
Hundstage 2001The first fictional feature film by director Ulrich Seidl contains a hardcore orgy scene.German
The Center of the World2001Film by Wayne Wang contains non-simulated scene where a stripper inserts a lollipop into her vagina.English
Visitor Q2001This erotic black comedy-horror film directed by Takashii Miike features unsimulated sex, though with blurred genitalia.Japanese
Lazaro's Girlfriend 2002This film by Fernando Merinero shows real fellatio.Spanish
Le loup de la côte Ouest 2002A Hugo Santiago film with James Faulkner and Anna Mouglalis features unsimulated sex scenes.French, English
Blissfully Yours 2002This film, directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, contains a non-simulated scene of manual stimulation of penis to erection.Thai
Choses secrètes 2002A Jean-Claude Brisseau film about female sexuality that shows many explicit sex scenes, including public masturbation by a female character and a hardcore orgy scene. The first film of a trilogy.French
Ken Park2002Directed by Larry Clark, this film shows both simulated and unsimulated sex scenes, such as a male masturbation and ejaculation scene.English
Irréversible2002This very controversial art thriller film directed by Gaspar Noé features unsimulated sex, though it’s infamous assault scene is simulated and featured nudity with CGI effects.French
The Brown Bunny2003This film by Vincent Gallo features a scene of fellatio.English
Private 2003Film directed by Tinto Brass was released in two DVD versions: Director's Cut that contains non-simulated oral sex scene, and alternate Producers Cut version that omits the non-simulated scene.Italian, French, English, Spanish
Rossa Venezia2003This film by Andreas Bethmann features many hardcore sex scenes, mostly lesbian.German
The Principles of Lust2003British film by Penny Woolcock which has an "x-rated orgy scene".English
Anatomie de l'enfer 2004By director Catherine Breillat, it features "actual sex, high-level sex scenes and high-level themes" according to the Australian Classification Review Board.French
9 Songs2004Several non-simulated sex scenes, including penetration, fellatio, cunnilingus and ejaculation.English
Story of the Eye2004Based on the novel Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille, this film, directed by Andrew Repasky McElhinney contains many hardcore sex scenes.English
Kärlekens språk 20002004A Swedish sex educational film directed by Anders Lennberg shows some authentic sex scenes. It had limited theatrical release, was shown in schools and also has DVD version.Swedish
Stupid Boy 2004A film by Lionel Baier contains "strong real sex". It was theatrically released in at least three countries, including France, Germany and Spain.French
Georges Bataille's Story of the Eye2004This American drama features unsimulated sexual activities.English
Battle in Heaven2005Film directed by Carlos Reygadas, featuring an opening scene of unsimulated fellatio between Anapola Mushkadiz and Marcos Hernández.Spanish
8mm 22005A film directed by J. S. Cardone, featuring various erotic scenes that include group sex, female masturbation, oral stimulation, authentic pornography frames, and lesbian cunnilingus.English
Kissing on the Mouth2005Film by Joe Swanberg contains a real scene of masturbation with ejaculation.English
The Wayward Cloud2005This film directed by Tsai Ming-liang features fellatio and penetration.Mandarin
Princesas2005This film by Fernando León de Aranoa contains a scene of explicit fellatio.Spanish
Lie with Me2005A film by Clement Virgo, based on the novel of the same title, contains "medium-to-hardcore sex".English, Spanish
Destricted2006This film is a compilation of seven short films made by artists and independent film-makers who were commissioned to "explore the fine line where art and pornography intersect". It "contains strong, real sex".English
Shortbus2006Several actors perform real sexual acts including explicit masturbation, autofellatio, coitus, and fellatio.English
Taxidermia2006This film, directed by György Pálfi contains two sequences of brief real sexual activity.Hungarian, English, Russian
Les Anges Exterminateurs2006The second Jean-Claude Brisseau film that explores female sexuality. It shows unsimulated female masturbation.French
Auftauchen 2006Felicitas Korn's feature film debut shows several authentic sex scenes.German
Ex Drummer2007A Flemish film, directed by Koen Mortier; it contains "strong real sex". It was theatrically released in Belgium and Netherlands.Dutch
It Is Fine! Everything Is Fine.2007This film directed by David Brothers and Crispin Glover contains actual penetration.English
The Story of Richard O. 2007This film by Damien Odoul shows some non-simulated sex scenes.French, Finnish
Import/Export2007The second feature film by Ulrich Seidl contains images of non-simulated sex such as digital penetration and oral sex.German, Slovak, Russian, English
Serbis 2008Directed by Brillante Mendoza, it shows explicit fellatio.Filipino, Tagalog
Tropical Manila2008This film, directed by Sang-woo Lee, contain several explicit sex acts, including real fellatio.Filipino, Korean
Otto; or Up with Dead People2008A film by Bruce LaBruce contains "strong real sex".English, German
À l'aventure2008The third film by Jean-Claude Brisseau about female sexuality contains many explicit sex scenes, including authentic female masturbation and orgasm.French
Amateur Porn Star Killer 22008This film by Shane Ryan includes explicit scenes of penetration and oral sex. The second film of a trilogy.English
Gutterballs2008Canadian film, directed by Ryan Nicholson exists in at least two versions; Original Version that feature explicit shots of male and female genitalia, and so called Pin-Etration Edition, basically the same as the Original Version with added short hardcore shots, including shot of vagina being penetrated by a penis during the rape scene. Thus, Pin-Etration Edition is only 20 seconds longer than the Original Version and also has the advice Adults Only.English
House of Flesh Mannequins2009Film, directed by Domiziano Cristopharo contains both real sex scenes and real torture scenes performed by international porn stars and extreme body art performers, respectively. The US DVD release is Director's Cut.English
Antichrist2009This film by Lars von Trier features a scene of penetrative vaginal intercourse, and also includes graphically violent sexual imagery. Body doubles were used to make the film.English
Enter the Void2009This film, directed by Gaspar Noé contains long sequence of hardcore sex.English, Japanese
The Band2009This film directed by Anna Brownfield features numerous sequences of unsimulated sex.English
Dogtooth2009A film by Yorgos Lanthimos. "The brief real sex is used to establish the unusual and dysfunctional lifestyle that results from the isolation orchestrated by the dictatorial father, including incest."Greek
Engel mit schmutzigen Flügeln 2009In this film by Roland Reber, the actress Antje Mönning has actual sex in front of the camera.German
Now & Later2009American independent film by French director Philippe Diaz, containing multiple simulated sex scenes and one unsimulated oral sex scene performed by Shari Solanis on costar James Wortham.English
Human Zoo2009A film directed by Rie Rasmussen that contains unsimulated cunnilingus.English, Serbian, Aerbian, French
Mundane History2009A film by Anocha Suwichakornpong contains an explicit scene of male masturbation.Thai
Melancholie der Engel2009This highly controversial and criticised German independent arthouse horror film directed by Marian Dora features unsimulated sexual content among other controversial depraved scenes, actors were also reported to be under the influence of drugs during production.German
Bedways2010This film by Rolf Peter Kahl show real sex scenes, including two scenes of masturbation.German
Rio Sex Comedy2010A film by Jonathan Nossiter contains one non-simulated sex scene, involving actress Irène Jacob.English, French
The Bunny Game2010This film directed by Adam Rehmeier contains lengthy unsimulated fellatio.English
Año bisiesto 2010Film by Michael Rowe features unsimulated sex scenes.Spanish
Gandu2010An Indian film, directed by Qaushiq Mukherjee, that contains actual sex scenes.Bengali
LelleBelle2010This film by Mischa Kamp contain images of unsimulated penetration.Dutch
Q 2011A 2011 French film, directed by Laurent Bouhnik, which features several graphic unsimulated depictions of sex.French
愛很爛 2011A Hong Kong film, directed by Scud, features fellatio.Mandarin, Cantonese, English
Chatrak 2011Indian Bengali film directed by Vimukthi Jayasundara contains a scene of unsimulated cunnilingus featuring actors Paoli Dam and Anubrata Basu.Bengali
Caged2011A 2011 Dutch film directed by Stephan Brenninkmeijer, it contains several explicit hardcore sex scenes.Dutch
Léa2011This film, directed by Bruno Rolland, contains an unsimulated scene of cunniligus.French
The Wrong Ferarri2011An experimental film written and directed by, and starring, musician Adam Green, which features an unsimulated scene of Green being anally penetrated by a dildo.English
The Slut2011This film, directed by and starring Hagar Ben Ashar, contains unsimulated intercourse.Hebrew
Whores' Glory2011This documentary about prostitutes from Thailand, Bangladesh and Mexico by Austrian director Michael Glawogger features unsimulated fellatio.Thai, Bengali, Spanish
Clip2012Début film by Maja Miloš about hypersexualized teenagers. Contains two unsimulated fellatio scenes, "though Maja Milos points out that the young cast were not involved and body doubles were involved. In fact the end credits start with the statement, "Underaged persons weren't involved in scenes of explicit sex and nudity"". Prosthetics and visual effects were also used for other scenes.Serbian
Starlet2012This film by Sean Baker contains a scene of penetration performed by a body double.English
Paradise: Faith2012Paradise: Faith is a 2012 Austrian film directed by Ulrich Seidl, the second in his Paradise trilogy. It contains "strong real sex" including brief scenes of masturbation and fellatio.German
They Call It Summer 2012Film by Paolo Franchi contains non-simulated sex involving Isabella Ferrari.Italian
I Want Your Love2012A feature-length film from 2012, directed by Travis Mathews contains "strong real sex" between men.English
Sexual Chronicles of a French Family 2012A film by Pascal Arnold and Jean-Marc Barr exists in two versions: Sensual version and Sexual version.French
Nymphomaniac2013A two-part drama by Lars von Trier, the third of his loose "Depression" trilogy. To produce scenes of simulated sex, von Trier used digital compositing to superimpose the genitals of pornographic film actors onto the bodies of the film's actors. Producer Louise Vesth explained during the Cannes Film Festival: "We shot the actors pretending to have sex and then had the body doubles, who really did have sex, and in post we will digital impose the two. So above the waist it will be the star and the below the waist it will be the doubles." The actresses playing the female lead at different ages, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Stacy Martin, further revealed that prosthetic vaginas were used during filming.English
Pornopung2013A 2013 Norwegian film, directed by Johan Kaos, that features a scene of explicit fellatio.Norwegian
Stranger by the Lake2013Directed by Alain Guiraudie, Stranger by the Lake contains scenes of unsimulated sex that were shot using body doubles.French
Wetlands2013Film by David Wnendt contains a real scene of masturbation and ejaculation by four men on a spinach pizza. Porn actors were hired for shooting the scene.German
Pasolini2014A film by Abel Ferrara, about the final day in the life of Pier Paolo Pasolini, shows extended, unsimulated fellatio sequence.English, Italian, French
Diet of Sex2014Film by Borja Brun features non-simulated sex scenes.Spanish
Angry Painter 2015Film by Kyu-hwan Jeon contains "x-rated" sexual content, including unsimulated intercourse scenes between Moon Jong-won and Russian actress Natallia Bulynia.Korean
Love2015This film by Gaspar Noé features scenes of unsimulated sexual activity and is notable as being a 3-D release.English
Melon Rainbow2015A short film about a young woman who works in a home for blind people. Contains unsimulated fellatio.Danish
Paris 05:59: Théo & Hugo2016The film opens with an 18-minute unsimulated gay orgy scene at a Paris sex club.French
We Are the Flesh 2016Mexican film, directed by Emiliano Rocha Minter contains non-simulated sex scenes, including a scene of masturbation captured to climax.Spanish
Needle Boy2016Film, directed by Alexander Bak Sagmo features non-simulated sex scenes.Danish
Love Machine 2016Somewhat controversial, sexually explicit film by Pavel Ruminov contains just a few hardcore moments, including oral sex.Russian
The Night 2016A film by Edgardo Castro features lengthy sequences of non-simulated sexual acts.Spanish
A Thought of Ecstasy2017A film by Rolf Peter Kahl; it contains images of full-frontal nudity, erect penises, exposed vaginas as well as unsimulated sex scenes.German
Picture of Beauty2017A film by Maxim Ford contains non-simulated sex scenes.English
Portraits of Andrea Palmer2017A horror film that contains unsimulated masturbation, fellatio, and intercourse.English
Berlin Drifters2017This drama features various unsimulated gay sex scenes.Japanese, German, English
Marfa Girl 22018A sequel to Larry Clark's 2012 film Marfa Girl, this film contains real sex scenes performed by non-actors.English
Wij2018This Dutch drama film by Rene Eller features unsimulated sex scenes.Dutch
Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo2019A film by Abdellatif Kechiche features a 13 minutes-long scene of non-simulated cunnilingus.French
One Last Time2020A film by Olympe de G. contains unsimulated sex scenes such as penetration, masturbation and cunnilingus.French
Dry Wind2020This Brazilian drama by Daniel Nolasco features various unsimulated gay sex scenes including fellatio.Brazilian
PVT Chat2020A film by Ben Hozie that contains unsimulated masturbationEnglish
Public Eye2021A film written and directed by Davo Hardy, as well as starring him, this film contains explicit masturbation scenes from both genders, as well as brief allusions to other sexual acts, performed by various members of the ensemble cast.English
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn2021A film by Radu Jude contains unsimulated sex scenes including oral sex and vaginal intercourse.Romanian
Blank Narcissus 2022A short film spin off of 1971 film Pink Narcissus, directed by British director Peter Strickland, features unsimulated masturbation.English
Grand Jeté2022This German drama by Isabelle Stever features unsimulated manual simulation of a penis.German
Rotting in the Sun2023A film by Sebastián Silva featuring scenes of unsimulated oral and anal sex.English, Spanish
The Visitor2024This film by Bruce LaBruce, inspired by Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Teorema, contains explicit scenes of both heterosexual and homosexual sex, including oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse.English

In music videos

TitleYearNotesLanguage
Björk - "Pagan Poetry"2001Directed by Nick Knight, this music video for the song from the acclaimed album Vespertine features private sex footage shot by the singer Björk that was digitally altered.English
Placebo - "Protège-moi"2003Directed by Gaspar Noé, was not officially released at the time and was replaced with footage of the song being performed live.French, English
Rammstein - "Pussy"2009The music video included unsimulated sex scenes of body doubles of German band Rammstein.German, English
Xiu Xiu - "Black Dick"2014This music video by the experimental rock band features unsimulated sex and was released via Pornhub, but is now currently unavailable.English
Peaches - "Rub"2015The music video directed by Peaches herself, A.L. Steiner & Lex Vaughn includes unsimulated lesbian cunnilingus, and brief vaginal penetration with sex toys.English
Novedades Carminha - "Ritmo en la sangre"2016The music video included unsimulated sex scenes of Spanish rock band Novedades Carminha with Amarna Miller on the band's website which requires a password to watch the video.Spanish
“Nikoline” - "Gourmet"2020The music video included unsimulated sex scenes between NIKOLINE and Sara Hjort Ditlevsen as well as including heterosexual sex.Danish
Lindemann - "Platz Eins"2020The music video included unsimulated sex scenes between Till Lindemann, his body double and various women.German

General references

  • McNair, Brian. Porno? Chic!: how pornography changed the world and made it a better place. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203134153
  • Coleman, Lindsay. Sex and Storytelling in Modern Cinema: Explicit Sex, Performance and Cinematic Technique. London ; New York, NY: I.B.Tauris.
  • Frey, Mattias. Extreme Cinema: The Transgressive Rhetoric of Today’s Art Film Culture. London: Rutgers University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36019/9780813576527
  • Kenny, Oliver. ‘Breaking Conventions? Political Ideology of Films With Explicit Sex’, Open Screens, 5, pp. 1–21. https://doi.org/10.16995/OS.8008.
  • Krzywinska, Tanya. Sex and the cinema. London: Wallflower.
  • Lewis, Jon. ‘Real sex: aesthetics and economics of art-house porn’, Jump Cut: A Review of Contemporary Media, 51. https://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/jc51.2009/LewisRealsex/text.html
  • Villadsen, Ebbe : Danish Erotic Film Classics.
  • Williams, Linda. Screening sex. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.* Williams, Linda Ruth : The Erotic Thriller in Contemporary Cinema. Indiana University Press..