WHO WANTS SEX?

Do we need sex in films? I recently read an interesting article regarding sex in films and began to think about the need. I am often amused by the way in which parents close their childrens eyes when sex is on television or film but they will let them listen to songs with swearing and play games where you shoot people. Surely sex is a natural part of life (Team America is a whole different ball game).

But how much do we need to see? Watching Natalie Portman in Closer (2004) was much more powerful to me that that of Baise Moi (2000). The notion of a female keeping her clothes on such as Portman surely is much more dangerous for the viewer as it allows the imagination to override the reality giving a greater interest and focus to the particluar part of the film. Mike Nichols obviously agreed with this when he made the decision to cut all of Portman's nude scenes from the film.

Sex and Lucia (2001) however uses the imagery of sex as a very basic function which becomes an intergral part of the narrative structure rather than being used for a specific impact like that of Closer and Baise Moi. I personally agree with sex in film but only if it is necessary, but then how do we define necessary and does this mean that sex is necessary in porn so it instantly becomes acceptable? I have to say that I would never decide to sit my children down with the grandparents to watch a good two hours of Debbie Does Dallas, but that's just me.