Gaspar Noé, renowned for unconventional choices, clarifies his approach to authentic intimacy in cinema

In the world of filmmaking, where simulated passion often takes the spotlight, director Gaspar Noé has once again ignited debates with his choice to incorporate real sex scenes in movies. Addressing the controversy surrounding his 2015 film ‘Love,’ which not only featured unfeigned sexual encounters but presented them in eye-popping 3D, Noé has fervently asserted that his creations stand apart from conventional adult content.

‘Love’ unfolds the intense narrative of an American named Murphy, navigating a sexually charged relationship in the vibrant city of Paris. As the plot unfolds, a threesome with a neighbour leads to unexpected consequences, exploring the intricacies of love, sex, and the impact of unplanned events on relationships.

Noé, renowned for his bold directorial choices, previously showcased real sexual acts in his 2002 film ‘Irreversible.’ Speaking about ‘Love’ and his casting process, Noé emphasized that the actors were well aware of the nature of the film and considered it a genuine exploration of love rather than an explicit venture.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Noé stated, “The good thing about this movie is all the people I proposed to be on-screen knew my previous movies and knew we were doing something valuable, a real movie about a real subject — love — and not something dirty.”

While the film’s explicit nature and a 3D ejaculation scene aimed directly at the audience raised eyebrows, Noé vehemently defends his work, asserting that it transcends the boundaries of traditional porn. Drawing a distinction between films featuring real intimacy and adult content, he argued, “In what you call ‘adult movies’ there are no feelings at all. You never see people kissing or talking about pregnancy. You never see any girl having her periods and you never see a girl with regular pubic hair.”

Noé’s intention is to represent authentic aspects of life often neglected in commercial cinema, challenging the outdated norms of film rating systems. Despite its polarizing nature, ‘Love’ received a middling rating of 42 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, further fueling discussions about the boundaries between art and explicit content in the world of cinema.