It might be the world’s oldest profession, but what do we actually know about its practitioners? Aside from cheap jokes and cliche stereotypes, it’s fair to say that much of the world remains oblivious to the realities sex workers face each day.
Thankfully, these nine documentaries are here to destigmatize the profession through an honest and compassionate examination of the industry around the globe. From stripping to webcamming and prostitution to porn, these films explore a breadth of careers by examining the lives of the individuals who choose to practice them. Check your prejudices at the door and broaden your horizons by learning more about the men and women who count themselves as sex workers.
1) Whores’ Glory (2011)
When it comes to examining an industry as global as the sex trade, where does one even think to begin? That’s the question that daunted filmmaker Michael Glawogger when he began work on this 2011 film. In Whores’ Glory, this documentarian chose to examine sex work through the lenses of three separate countries, each with a distinct form of prostitution. Glawogger ventured to Thailand, Bangladesh, and Mexico to create intimate portraits of these women and their lives through film. Though the brightly lit Plexiglass boxes of Thailand might be a far cry from the brothel ghettos of Bangladesh, this poetic film reveals a universal truth shared by all these women.2) American Courtesans (2013)
If you want a sex-positive look at the world of high-end escorts, look no further than American Courtesans. Thanks to the compassionate perspective of executive producer and escort Kristen DiAngelo, this film manages to give these 11 women the decency society had previously denied them. Though their backgrounds may be diverse, this group of women is united by the shared experience of their vocation. Director James Johnson’s exemplary film contextualizes these women outside of the industry as their friends, family, and loved ones sit down to discuss the feelings about their profession.3) Buying Sex (2013)
Being a sex worker not only means navigating a complex society where you’re often demonized, but also trying to traverse an equally convoluted legal system. Buying Sex takes us inside Canada’s debate over prostitution laws and gives proponents on both side of the issue equal time to make their argument. To give the viewer a global perspective on legalized sex work, filmmakers Teresa MacInnes and Kent Maso ventured to Sweden and New Zealand to examine each country’s laws and hear from the women affected by them.4) After Porn Ends (2012)
While porn stars might have the undying devotion of fans and the lust of thousands of admirers, it’s not always what they crave most. Most only desire to find a sense of normalcy once the cameras stop rolling, but for many performers, life outside of the industry can be a tough road to traverse. Director Bryce Wagoner invited some of the industry’s most famous faces to sit down and talk candidly about the triumphs and challenges they’ve had since leaving the business.5) La Bare (2014)
In 2012 Magic Mike dazzled audiences with its flashy portrayal of hard-bodied boys who earn a living by thrusting their hips in the faces of adoring women, but that’s not all the film did. In preparation for his role in the movie, actor Joe Manganiello began exploring the world of exotic dancing. After the actor stumbled across Dallas strip club La Bare, he became instantly fascinated and set out to tell the stories of the men who are worshipped onstage. Manganiello manages to capture sex, sensitivity, and everything in between as these performers bare more than just their bodies.6) The Truth About Webcam Girls (2014)
Gone are the days of traveling to the red-light district: Thanks to the Internet, getting off is as easy as logging on. Enter the world of webcam girls. This BBC documentary follows the lives of three British women who earn a living performing erotic shows online for high-paying viewers. Though this burgeoning industry might seem like an easy gig for performers, it’s not without its difficulties. Watch as these ladies try to temper a virtual life with a real one.7) Sex for Sale: American Escort (2012)
In 2012, National Geographic sent reporter Mariana van Zeller on a journey that would take her to the darkest corners of the sex-work industry and expose her to the harsh realities escorts face. From going undercover to find out how escorts get their start to riding along with the Las Vegas vice unit to bust some of the most violent pimps, this journalist saw parts of city most tourists can’t even imagine.8) Sex: My British Job (2013)
When journalist Hsiao-Hung Pai decided to go undercover to learn about what life is like in one of London’s brothels, she didn’t know what to expect. After only a few days posing as a housekeeper, Pai found herself witnessing sights she never expected. Mary, a tyrant of a madame, violently lashes out at underworked and overpaid Pai, who ventures still deeper into the world of the sex trade. This gripping piece brings to light the harsh lives many illegal immigrants are subjected to once they find themselves in a new country.9) Naked Ambition: An R Rated Look at an X Rated Industry (2009)
In 2006, famed photographer Michael Grecco set out on a journey to Las Vegas’ AVN Adult Entertainment Expo with his camera and a singular ambition: He wanted to capture the stars of the porn industry in all their glory and humanity, unretouched and entirely real. A crew of cameras followed along to capture the portraitist’s artistic process, but soon the project morphed into something more as performers began talking candidly to the camera about their time in the industry. Experience the expo, the awards, and the fans of the convention through the eyes of these performers.Screengrab via LorberFilms’s channel/YouTube