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The Uncharted Territory of Women's Pornography Just as there is a lack of pornography made by women, there is a lack of books about making pornography written by women. Recent nonfiction titles such as Polly Barton’s Porn: An Oral History and Fiona Vera-Gray’s Women on Porn have sought to address the silence and moral confusion, while Rufi Thorpe’s novel Margo’s Got Money Troubles imagined a student mum paying her way with OnlyFans. Into the Neon-Lit Underworld of 80s LA Allie Rowbottom, author of a memoir, Jell-O Girls, and a novel, Aesthetica, braves the dicey terrain in her sleazy, cinematic second novel. Published into a contemporary landscape where algorithms promote increasingly extreme content, Lovers XXX takes us to the so-called golden age of the Los Angeles porn industry, through the eyes of two teenage runaways who trade troubled homes for big-city dreams. The Dark Side of Desire and Power The obvious preoccupations of any porn industry narrative are: how do you get into it? What is it like? And how do you get out? Rowbottom answers these questions and more in a hurtling trip through LA’s early 1980s underworld. It’s a neon-lit, tobacco-stained scene as dusted with cocaine and packed with toupeed men touting “modelling” work as your wildest Boogie Nights fantasies might conjure; a place where desire is shaped by men, for men, yet which runs on an endless supply of disposable women. A Mirrored Structure and Divergent Journeys The novel uses a mirroring structure, the first half opening with Jude searching for Winnie and the second with Winnie, 30 years later, on a mission to discover what happened to Jude, who vanishes in 1984. As Winnie retraces Jude’s steps, she must confront the industry she has struggled to outrun. A Reckless Joyride into Youthful Longing and Hedonism Lovers XXX is a reckless joyride into youthful longing and hedonism, and their bruising flipside. In its humane, heady portrayal of lives on the margins, and its evocative sense of place, it recalls the films of Sean Baker and the novels of Emma Cline – and is presided over by the ghost of Eve Babitz.

The Timeless Epic of Boogie Nights Paul Thomas Anderson's 1997 film, Boogie Nights, is a picaresque comedy that explores the world of 1970s and 1980s LA adult cinema, drawing inspiration from the life of John Holmes. The film delivers a jukebox soundtrack of the era and presents a world where masculinity is fragile and often defined by a single aspect. The Fragility of Masculinity The story centers around Dirk Diggler, played by Mark Wahlberg, a young man who becomes a star in the adult film industry. His journey from an awkward teenager to a celebrated adult film star, and his subsequent struggles with fame, addiction, and identity, serve as a backdrop to explore themes of masculinity and the objectification of men in the adult film industry. A Cast of Complex Characters Mark Wahlberg as Eddie/Dirk Diggler, the protagonist whose rise and fall in the adult film industry mirrors the excesses and pitfalls of the era. Burt Reynolds as Jack Horner, a porn impresario with a keen eye for talent and a deep understanding of the industry. Julianne Moore as Maggie, a mature and complex adult film star struggling with her career and personal life. Nicole Ari Parker as Becky, and Heather Graham as Brandy/Rollergirl, showcasing the diverse and vibrant cast of characters in the film. The Impact of Boogie Nights Boogie Nights is not just a film about the adult film industry; it's a commentary on the societal norms of the 1970s, the fragility of masculinity, and the consequences of excess. Despite some criticisms of its portrayal of the industry and its stars, the film remains a significant work in Paul Thomas Anderson's oeuvre, celebrated for its style, performances, and propulsive narrative. The Legacy of Boogie Nights As a film influenced by the works of Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, Boogie Nights stands out for its unique blend of style, humor, and pathos. It's a testament to Anderson's skill as a director that the film continues to be celebrated for its bold storytelling, memorable characters, and its unflinching look at the highs and lows of the adult film industry.