PLEASURE directed by Ninja Thyberg (Sweden, 2021)

When Bella Cherry (not her real name) arrives in America from Sweden, the customs officer asks if her visit is for business or pleasure. Bella replies “Pleasure” with a wry smile. After watching this movie, I’d say she gave the wrong answer.  Having lots of sex would normally count as a pleasurable activity but when this is done for money in a mechanical, ritualistic manner then, just as in prostitution,  it falls squarely into the category of business.

It is soon clear that Thyberg’s objective is not to make a feminist movie or to criticise pornography.  We see a male dominated world in which the women consent to be exploited and abused knowing full well the implications and content of the encounters beforehand.  

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