Softcore (pornography)

Softcore pornography may include sexual activity between two people or masturbation . It does not contain explicit descriptions of sexual penetration, cunnilingus , blowjob or ejaculation . The image of penile erection may be prohibited, although the attitude towards this is constantly changing ^[1] . Commercial pornography can be differentiated from erotica , which has a desire for high art ^[2] .

Parts of images that are considered too frank can be hidden in various ways, such as using concealing hair or clothing, carefully placed hands or other parts of the body, carefully placed foreground elements in the scene (often plants or drapes), and carefully selected camera angles. Sexual acts depicted in softcore pornography are usually simulated (or, at least, penetration is not shown) by actors.

Pornographic filmmakers sometimes make both the hardcore and softcore versions of the film, using the corners of the sex scenes in the softcore version less explicit ^[3] , or using other methods to “soften” any unacceptable feature. The softcore version can, for example, be edited for the internal PPV market.

Full nudity is common in several magazines, as well as in photography ^[4] . In modern films ^[5] and on television, nude scenes are becoming increasingly popular ^[6] . Nudity and sexual content are also available on the Internet.

Softcore movies are generally less regulated and limited than hardcore pornography and provides a variety of markets. In most countries, softcore films are eligible for a movie rating, usually a limited rating, although many such films also go unrated. As with hardcore movies, the availability of softcore movies depends on local laws. They can be available for rental along with non-softcore content in the video rental store, or available through online stores. In some more restrictive jurisdictions, such films may only be available in the sex shop . Countries that allow softcore movie rentals may have restrictions on open screenings. In addition, the screening of such films may be limited to a certain age, usually 18 years. At least one country, Germany , has different age limits for hardcore and softcore pornography, softcore materials tend to receive an FSK-16 rating (prohibited for sale to people under 16 years old) and hardcore materials that receive FSK-18 (prohibited for sale to persons under 18 years of age). In some countries, broadcasting softcore films is widespread on cable television networks ^[7] , such as Cinemax , which produces its own softcore films and television series.

In some countries, images of the female genital organs are digitally processed, so they are not too detailed ^[8] . An Australian porn actress reports that the image of her own genitals sold to pornographic magazines in different countries was digitally processed to resize and shape her labia in accordance with censorship standards in different countries ^{[9] [10]} .

Softcore pornography was originally presented primarily in the form of “ ,” when it was hardly permissible to briefly show the nipple in the 1950s. By the 1970s, in such popular magazines as Playboy , Penthouse and Hustler , not a single area of ​​the body was considered forbidden ^[4] .

After the formation of the MPAA rating system in the United States and until the 1980s, a number of softcore films with a wide range of production costs were released to major cinemas, especially car cinemas . Some, such as Emmanuelle ^[11] and Alice in Wonderland ^[12] , received positive reviews from well-known critics such as Roger Ebert .

Since the 2000s, relaxed cable television standards have allowed several television series with sexually explicit or violent content to be broadcast, which in the past would be limited to the softcore movie market.