Sex in film refers to the presentation in motion pictures of sexuality or eroticism and sex acts, including love scenes. It is distinguished to a sex film, which usually refers to a pornographic film and sometimes to a sex education film.
Films have contained erotic sex scenes since the silent era of cinematography. Many actors and actresses have exposed parts of their bodies or dressed and behaved in ways considered sexually provocative by contemporary standards at some point in their careers. Some films of the sexual nature have been criticized by religious groups or banned by governments, or both, because of the amounts of sex scenes. Sex in film should be distinguished from nudity in film, though often nudity is presented in a sexualized context. For example, a film on naturism or about people where nudity is common may contain non-sexual nudity. Some people distinguish between "gratuitous sex" and sex scenes which are presented as integral to the film's plot. Sex scenes have been presented in many genres of film. Sex scenes are the main aspect of pornographic films. In softcore films, sexuality is less explicit. Erotic films are suggestive of sexuality, but need not contain nudity. In some genres of film sexuality is rarely depicted.
Famous quotes containing the word film:
“Television does not dominate or insist, as movies do. It is not sensational, but taken for granted. Insistence would destroy it, for its message is so dire that it relies on being the background drone that counters silence. For most of us, it is something turned on and off as we would the light. It is a service, not a luxury or a thing of choice.”
—David Thomson, U.S. film historian. America in the Dark: The Impact of Hollywood Films on American Culture, ch. 8, William Morrow (1977)