Key Takeaways:
– Movie sex scenes have decreased by nearly 40% since 2000, according to a new study.
– Despite the decline in frequency, sex scenes have become more explicit in nature.
– This shift may be attributed to the #MeToo movement and the increased presence of intimacy coordinators on film sets.
– Nevertheless, substance use, violence, and profanity remained consistent in these movies.
As we navigate through the unfolding landscapes of modern filmography, it seems a significant transformation has occurred. Stephen Follows, a movie data analyst, has discovered that sexual content in high-grossing films has plummeted by almost 40% since 2000. The change has been so drastic that today, nearly half of the top-tier movies contain no sexual content – a stark contrast to the 20% in 2000.
Study Highlights
Follows examined the 250 highest-grossing films in the US each year, since the turn of the millennium. Here, he assessed the sex and nudity levels based on a scale from “none” to “severe.” Notably, though, while frequency has dwindled, the graphic nature of sex scenes in contemporary cinema has surged.
The Economist cites scenes from Yorgos Lanthimos’ Oscar-winning film, ‘Poor Things,’ and the masturbation and oral acts in Emerald Fennell’s ‘Saltburn,’ as graphic sex scene examples. However, it’s worth noting that explicit nudity was left to imagination in ‘Saltburn,’ with only Barry Keoghan’s non-sexual full-frontal nudity in a dance sequence.
Understanding the Changing Dynamics
As sexual content decreases, it seems the shock value once created through revealing scenes — akin to Sharon Stone’s notorious stint in ‘Basic Instinct’ back in 1993 — is harder to replicate today. Interestingly, substances, violence, and explicit language have remained relatively persistent in films since 2000.
The #MeToo Impact & The Role of Intimacy Coordinators
The decline in sex scenes on-screen may be influenced by the #MeToo revolution that started in 2018. The movement sparked a reformation in the way Hollywood handles sex, both before and behind the camera, with intimacy coordinators now frequently found on film sets.
For instance, the recent film ‘Drive Away Dolls’ by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, begins with an explicit sex scene. However, an intimacy coordinator was assigned for the shoot, which Coen found to be beneficial, comparing it to having a stunt coordinator.
Coen remarks, “An intimacy coordinator helps demystify and release tension around intimacy issues”. For ‘Saltburn’ director, Fennell, imaginary sex scenes without nudity are more beneficial. She asserts that the comprehension of the act happening defines the essence of the scene, not the explicit visibility.
Luca Guadagnino, director of ‘Call Me By Your Name,’ shares a similar sentiment. According to Guadagnino, filming a sex scene should be equal to shooting any other scene in a movie, as long as the actors are comfortable.
In conclusion, the study highlights a shifting trend in cinema regarding sexual content. Despite sex scenes becoming rarer, the overall approach to filming these scenes has evolved, focusing more on implied intimacy and the actors’ comfort. Consequently, depicting the act has been revolutionised alongside the strengthening notions of consent, comfort, and emotional representation in storytelling. As films reflect society’s changing norms, this study offers an intriguing glimpse into the transformation the film industry is currently undergoing.
