She went from singing opera to producing porn videos – Adrineh Simonian on feminist pornography and how it promotes gender equality
- A conversation Adrineh Simonian overheard 10 years ago led her to abandon a career as an opera singer to produce pornography
- With the emphasis on filming artistically and ethically, her approach fits into an increasingly popular genre known as feminist pornography, or femporn
Seven years ago, Adrineh Simonian bowed out of a successful career as an opera singer to produce pornography instead. Since then, the 48-year-old has not looked back, becoming a prominent voice for porn producers who prioritise their protagonists’ comfort and well-being.
Simonian, from Vienna in Austria, said that while the term “pornography” carried huge stigma, she tried to “make people understand that there is another side” to it. “I really want to support those doing artistic pornography – there’s enough of the mainstream already,” she said.
By filming people who have never had sex in front of the camera before – actual couples or those who hadn’t previously met – she aims to show the real deal. No script or instructions are given to the couples, who simply do what they enjoy.
The varied depiction of sexual pleasure is meant to inspire viewers to “live their own sexuality”, Simonian said. More than 80 films shot by her and like-minded producers are showcased on her streaming site Arthouse Vienna, which she launched last year.
