Softcore
Encyclopedia
Softcore pornography is a form of filmic or photographic pornography
or erotica
that is less sexually explicit than hardcore pornography
. It is intended to tickle and arouse men and women. Softcore pornography depicts nude
and semi-nude performers engaging in casual social nudity or non-graphic representations of sexual intercourse
or masturbation
. Softcore porn precludes explicit depictions of vagina
l or anal
penetration, cunnilingus
, fellatio
and ejaculation
. Visual representations of genitalia (full nudity) are typically permissible in a softcore context in printed media, and increasingly so in film and television. Erection
s of the penis
may not be allowed (see Mull of Kintyre Test
), although attitudes towards this are changing.
Portions of images that are considered too explicit may be obscured (censored
) through various means. These techniques include the use of draped hair or clothing, carefully positioned hands or other body parts, carefully positioned foreground elements in the scene (often plants or drapery), and carefully chosen camera angles.
In most cases the sexual acts depicted in softcore pornography are entirely simulated by the actors and actress; no actual penetration occurs. Often the actors wear latex
genital covers to prevent physical contact. Film directors go to great lengths to obscure such covers on screen, but often fail to completely hide them. The comedian Pablo Francisco
joked about this "facade" during one of his routines: "The reason they call it soft porn [is] 'cause it doesn't get you hard
."
Hardcore film makers will sometimes make edited softcore versions of their films for the hotel pay-per-view
market, cutting in less explicit angles of the sex scenes.
and prior to the 1980s, numerous softcore films, ranging from low to high production costs, were released to mainstream movie theatres especially drive-in
s. Some, such as Emmanuelle
and Alice in Wonderland
, received positive reviews from noted critics such as Roger Ebert
. Since the rise in popularity of home video in the 1980s, however, most softcore films have been restricted to home video releases or overnight timeslots on premium channels such as Cinemax
, Showtime, and The Movie Channel
and production values have dropped.
Examples of American softcore photography
production companies include METart
, and Perfect 10. In Japan, the softcore theatrical pink film has been a major cinematic genre since the early 1960s.
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
or erotica
Erotica
Erotica are works of art, including literature, photography, film, sculpture and painting, that deal substantively with erotically stimulating or sexually arousing descriptions...
that is less sexually explicit than hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography is a form of pornography that features explicit sexual acts. The term was coined in the second half of the 20th century to distinguish it from softcore pornography. It usually takes the form of photographs, often displayed in magazines or on the Internet, or films. It can also...
. It is intended to tickle and arouse men and women. Softcore pornography depicts nude
Nudity
Nudity is the state of wearing no clothing. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic. The amount of clothing worn depends on functional considerations and social considerations...
and semi-nude performers engaging in casual social nudity or non-graphic representations of sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
or masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
. Softcore porn precludes explicit depictions of vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
l or anal
Anus
The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
penetration, cunnilingus
Cunnilingus
Cunnilingus is an oral sex act performed on a female. It involves the use by a sex partner of the mouth, lips and tongue to stimulate the female's clitoris, vulva, or vagina...
, fellatio
Fellatio
Fellatio is an act of oral stimulation of a male's penis by a sexual partner. It involves the stimulation of the penis by the use of the mouth, tongue, or throat. The person who performs fellatio can be referred to as the giving partner, and the other person is the receiving partner...
and ejaculation
Ejaculation
Ejaculation is the ejecting of semen from the male reproductory tract, and is usually accompanied by orgasm. It is usually the final stage and natural objective of male sexual stimulation, and an essential component of natural conception. In rare cases ejaculation occurs because of prostatic disease...
. Visual representations of genitalia (full nudity) are typically permissible in a softcore context in printed media, and increasingly so in film and television. Erection
Erection
Penile erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes enlarged and firm. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal...
s of the penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
may not be allowed (see Mull of Kintyre Test
Mull of Kintyre test
The Mull of Kintyre Rule was an unofficial guideline said to have been used by the British Board of Film Classification in the United Kingdom to decide whether an image of a man's penis could be shown....
), although attitudes towards this are changing.
Portions of images that are considered too explicit may be obscured (censored
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
) through various means. These techniques include the use of draped hair or clothing, carefully positioned hands or other body parts, carefully positioned foreground elements in the scene (often plants or drapery), and carefully chosen camera angles.
In most cases the sexual acts depicted in softcore pornography are entirely simulated by the actors and actress; no actual penetration occurs. Often the actors wear latex
Latex
Latex is the stable dispersion of polymer microparticles in an aqueous medium. Latexes may be natural or synthetic.Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants . It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins,...
genital covers to prevent physical contact. Film directors go to great lengths to obscure such covers on screen, but often fail to completely hide them. The comedian Pablo Francisco
Pablo Francisco
Pablo Ridson Francisco is an American stand-up comedian of Chilean origin. He started his career doing improv in Tempe, Arizona.-Career:...
joked about this "facade" during one of his routines: "The reason they call it soft porn [is] 'cause it doesn't get you hard
Erection
Penile erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes enlarged and firm. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal...
."
Hardcore film makers will sometimes make edited softcore versions of their films for the hotel pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
market, cutting in less explicit angles of the sex scenes.
History
After the formation of the MPAA rating system in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and prior to the 1980s, numerous softcore films, ranging from low to high production costs, were released to mainstream movie theatres especially drive-in
Drive-in theater
A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.The screen can be as simple as a...
s. Some, such as Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle is the lead character in a series of French softcore erotic movies based on a character created by Emmanuelle Arsan in the novel Emmanuelle...
and Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland (1976 film)
Alice in Wonderland is a 1976 pornographic musical film, loosely based on Lewis Carroll's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It was directed by Bud Townsend and starred Terri Hall, Bree Anthony, and Kristine DeBell. The theatrical release of the film was on December 10, 1976 in the USA...
, received positive reviews from noted critics such as Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
. Since the rise in popularity of home video in the 1980s, however, most softcore films have been restricted to home video releases or overnight timeslots on premium channels such as Cinemax
Cinemax
Cinemax, sometimes abbreviated as simply "Max", is a collection of premium television networks that broadcasts primarily feature films, along with softcore erotica, original action series, documentaries and special behind-the-scenes features. Cinemax is operated by Home Box Office, Inc., a...
, Showtime, and The Movie Channel
The Movie Channel
The Movie Channel is an American premium channel owned by Showtime Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of CBS Corporation, which shows mostly movies, as well as special behind-the-scenes features, softcore adult erotica and movie trivia....
and production values have dropped.
Examples of American softcore photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
production companies include METart
MET ART
MetArt is a softcore pornography website owned by HLP General Partners Incorporated of Santa Monica, California. The site features erotic photographs of partially or completely naked women, and has been online since circa 1999....
, and Perfect 10. In Japan, the softcore theatrical pink film has been a major cinematic genre since the early 1960s.