The way we are introduced to sex does shape the way sex features in our lives, whether that be an unintended glimpse into the wrong room, or an accidental encounter to NSFW media, or a proper discussion towards sex. Being inspired by, but not entirely accurate to the life of prolific Italian porn star Rocco Siffredi, sex is central to Supersex not just as his job, but as the way his family, relationships, and his concept of love is irrevocably affected by it. It’s fixated on sex, yes, but showrunner Francesca Manieri stirs the discussion not towards how hot it can be, but towards the various ways sex affirms and negates his masculinity, as well as the conceptions that determine that, and how it can slip into vice rather than healthy pleasure. There are moments where the series falters, particularly the way it depicts internalized homophobia, but overall, Supersex is a well-meaning exploration of sex work and masculinity.
"Though Rocco’s story is solidly depicted, audiences hoping for a bio-series-type narrative won’t find it here. It’s also worth noting that Netflix offers a dubbed English version, but the show is best viewed in Italian with subtitles."
— Aramide Tinubu
Inspired by true events, this is the story of how Rocco Siffredi escaped a humble life and emerged as the world's greatest porn star.
While growing up in the coastal town of Ortona, Rocco Tano finds a softcore porn magazine that introduces him to the power of eroticism, and starts off his journey to be Rocco Siffredi, the most famous porn star in the world.
Being inspired by a porn star, of course Supersex would depict sex. But showrunner Francesca Manieri never loses the sex scenes to spectacle– it’s always grounded by the way Rocco as a character thinks and feels about sex, and how it gets linked to his masculinity, dignity, and personhood. Sex serves the story, and not the other way around.
With the current way sex is widely discussed, it was a really hard tightwalk for Supersex to navigate, but it’s because of this that we have to figure out how to do so, and it’s great Supersex made a fairly decent attempt.
Berlin
1 nomination
