Behind the scenes
Erotica alive and well in Toronto
TORONTO – Erotica is alive and well in Canada’s biggest city.
Meet Andrea Werhun, an artist, activist and author whose bestseller, “Modern Whore: A Memoir”, is about to get reprinted. Werhun’s book is an account of her days as an escort, work she undertook while studying at the University of Toronto.
The 2018 book, is, in her words, “An honest and inside look at the funny, meaningful, disturbing and erotic aspects of the world’s oldest profession.” Modern Whore is also full of beautiful pictures — from photographer and filmmaker Nicole Bazuin.
Together, the two women have also created “Modern Whore”, a documentary film based on Werhun’s book. The short film was to have had its world debut this week at the SXSW festival in Austin, but SXSW was cancelled over coronavirus fears. Let’s hope that doc shows up here at Hot Docs whenever they reschedule their April dates.
Werhun and Bazuin have just launched a new Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the second iteration of Modern Whore. The new book, “Post-Modern Whore”, will include 50 new pages based on Werhun’s more recent work as a stripper.
“This is a sex work art book, meticulously crafted by two women — one a sex worker telling stories from her own experience, and one with an attuned erotic eye,” said Werhun.
“The photos are beautiful and delicious. There’s a new centrefold. It’s all about a woman’s sexuality. And of course, when we give space for any woman to tell her story, it’s a feminist act, and this is a feminist project.”
Asked what her next project will be, Werhun jokes that she wouldn’t mind being alone in a cabin somewhere, working on her new novel.
“Although I love my sexual labour, I would prefer to be compensated for creative labour. I’m a writer and performer, and until then, my day job is stripping. The unfortunate reality is that most artists need to have a day job.”
Malcolm Lovejoy is another artist with a day job: adult film actor.
A journalist and respected hip-hop artist, he’s also an actor and filmmaker, and he might just be the quintessential Canadian porn star.
“I’m as passionate about my intellect as I am about my sexuality,” the polite and articulate Lovejoy told The Toronto Sun, explaining that he’s been in the adult film business about seven years. He’s won twice at Toronto’s International Porn Awards and he’s keen to improve the industry where he can.
“Porn is a creative and empowering outlet. I want to bring into it romance, respect for women and for queer people and people of colour, things that are not typically seen in porn,” he said.
“Sexuality is supposed to be healthy. There’s no reason why porn can’t be healthy.”
He’s not that interested in the mainstream work done in California, where the lion’s share of porn movies are made.
“I want to see different bodies — big, small, whatever — and I want to see women being the centre of pleasure. I want to see women take control sometimes. It’s always male focused. Time to shift that idea.”