Softcore pornography

Softcore pornography or softcore is a pornographic or erotic film or photograph that is less sexually explicit than hardcore pornography. Softcore pornography is intended to arouse, and typically contains nude and semi-nude performers engaging in casual social nudity. The visual representation of genitalia (full nudity) is common in printed media, and increasingly so in film and television. Softcore pornography also typically contains depictions of sexual activity, such as sexual intercourse or masturbation. The sexual activity is typically simulated. Softcore pornography typically does not contain explicit depictions of vaginal or anal penetration, cunnilingus, fellatio and ejaculation. Depictions of erections of the penis may not be allowed (see Mull of Kintyre Test), although attitudes towards this are changing. Commercial pornography can be differentiated from erotica, which has high-art aspirations.

Portions of images that are considered too explicit may be obscured in a variety of ways, such as 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 sexual acts depicted in softcore pornography are simulated by the actors and actress with no actual penetration occurring. The actors may 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.

Softcore pornography is commonly less regulated and restricted than hardcore pornography, and caters to a different market. In most countries softcore films can be rated or classified, usually on a restricted rating. Depending on local laws, a restricted film may be sold, typically in a sex shop, hired, exhibited or broadcast. In countries which allow the hire of softcore films, there may be restrictions on the open display of the films. Also, the exhibition of such films may be restricted to those above a certain age, typically 18. The broadcasting of such films is most strictly regulated. Pornographic film makers will sometimes make both hardcore and softcore versions of a film, with the softcore version using less explicit angles of sex scenes, or using the other techniques to "tone down" any objectionable feature. The softcore version may, for example, be edited for the in-house hotel pay-per-view market.

History

After the formation of the MPAA rating system in the United States and prior to the 1980s, numerous softcore films, with a wide range of production costs, were released to mainstream movie theatres, especially drive-ins. Some, such as Emmanuelle and Alice in Wonderland, received positive reviews from noted critics such as Roger Ebert. However, since the rise in popularity of home videos in the 1980s, most softcore films are made for home video release or for night time-slots on premium channels such as Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, and Multipremier. Magazines such as Playboy and SoHo are considered softcore or adult magazines.

American production companies which specialise in production of softcore pornography include METart and Perfect 10. In Japan, the softcore theatrical pink film has been a major cinematic genre since the early 1960s.

The most famous Italian director of erotic films is the Venetian Tinto Brass. Internationally, American Russ Meyer was the initiator of softcore filmmaking, sometimes called the sexploitation film genre.

See also

• List of pornographic sub-genres
• Non-nude photography
• Sexploitation film