The Pleasure In Pain
The blurb: An arthouse documentary short following key figures of the London kink scene on an exploration into BDSM and the LGBTQ+ fetish event Klub Verboten. The film touches upon themes of psychology, neurodiversity, trauma and black representation.
From Nowness:
“Lensing fetishistic practices, through the gaze of Klub Verboten’s close-knit community, short film The Pleasure in Pain offers a visceral cinematic journey into the world of kink, from wax play to Japanese shibari, impact play to trampling. For director Curtis Blair, reflecting the authenticity of the scene relies upon a strict avoidance of voyeurism, and stylistic considerations that position the film from a place of allyship, shooting partly on anamorphic Super 8 with protagonists invited to shape their own narratives. Opening up their personal motivations for pain play, and following the psychological journeys that accompany each session – from eye-watering pain to euphoric pleasure – The Pleasure in Pain presents a holistic picture of pain as a means of expansion, voiced by those at the scene’s core.”
Length: 14:54
Director: Curtis Blair
Year: 2023