In the documentary Labor, Hanna travels from Sweden to the queer scene in San Francisco, where she eventually begins making a living by selling her body. Despite being well-crafted in many respects, the film presents an uncritical portrayal of prostitution, which risks normalizing paid exploitation. At worst, it could serve as an advertisement for prostitution… Read more »
Recensioner
Pleasure – New Swedish feature film about the porn industry
A new Swedish feature film about the porn industry has received massive international attention and was shown at Gothenburg Film Festival last week. The director, Ninja Thyberg, has studied the porn industry closely in California for six years, and the result is a very realistic and detailed depiction. Realstars hope that the film can contribute… Read more »
New review by Robert Schenck – The theater piece Föddhora
On Friday, February 14, 2020, Robert Schenck visited Stora Teatern in Gothenburg to see the production of Föddhora. Föddhora is a theater piece by Martina Montelius played by Lo Kauppi. Here are Robert’s reflections after seeing the play. For those who missed the opportunity in Gothenburg, the set will also be played at Vävenscenen in… Read more »
Thailandssvenskarna – a book about males who purchase sex in Thailand
RealStars guest blogger Robert Schenk reviews a reportage book regarding the Swedish men who travel to Thailand to purchase sex – What are they thinking? And why do some of them move there? In Thailandssvenskarna (which means the Swedes in Thailand in English), the investigative journalist Joakim Medin brings the reader inside the Thai sex… Read more »
Opponents to the Sex Purchase Act write book that impedes our work
RealStars works actively against trafficking, both nationally and internationally. We advocate for reducing the demand and letting the sex purchaser take responsibility for their actions, which in international context is called “the Nordic model”. Prostitution leads to increased trafficking. If the buyer is criminalized, the demand will be reduced, which is an effective way to… Read more »
Prominent British feminist shatters myths about prostitution and advocates the Sex Purchase Act
Our guest blogger Robert Schenck has read the book Pimp State and written a book review that highlights the importance of the sex purchase Act. In an easy-to-read format, the author Kat Banyard explains why the legalization of sex purchases is so problematic and how laws that allow prostitution are normative and characterize society’s view… Read more »
English book argues for the ”Nordic model”
Realstars’ guest blogger Robert Schenck regularly contributes with reviews of movies, books and other things that deals with trafficking, prostitution and sex purchasing. This time, Robert Schenck has taken on the book The Sex Economy, which brings up different perspectives on prostitution and decades of research and debates. One strength of the book is how… Read more »
Award-winning Austrian movie about trafficking at Göteborg´s Film Festival
RealStars guest blogger Robert Schenk reviews the new film Joy which attended Göteborgs film festival. The movie is based on thorough research to give a believable depiction of trafficking to Europe from West Africa, but it would have been a stronger message if the causes were clarified – the requests in the west and the… Read more »
Sweet Lolita sees a connection between different types of unfair sex
The debut novel Sweet Lolita by Kiki Sehlstedt, published by Piratförlaget 2018, is a detective story about sexual exploitation, and what we refer to as unfair sex. The title refers to an attire within Japanese sub-culture with the same name, a girlish innocent fashion made sexual by the perpetrator in the story. The book let… Read more »
Camilla disappeared – a poignant and intimate play that takes a stand
Robert Schenck, guest reviewer at Realstars, has seen the play “Camilla disappeared” at Konstepedemin in Gothenburg. A play that takes a stand and can work as both an eye opener and inspiration. An important play which we hope many people get the chance to see. It is conveyed clear and distinct – from the excellent… Read more »