PORNO

(A.k.a. PORNO!)

This 1981 Brazilian effort serves up three sexy stories, each of which were written by the prolific late writer-director Ody Fraga (whose own career ended a year before his death with the 1986 bestiality porno MULHERES TARADAS POR ANIMAIS).

In the first, Bia (Maristela Moreno) and Maria Helena (Patricia Scalvi) are two fit students who walk into school discussing virgins. Bia is the buxom slutty one, while dowdy Maria Helena wears glasses and appears to be the more prudish of the two.

As they reach the school library with the intention of studying, Maria Helena warns Bia that her precocious ways will harm her academic endeavours. But her attitude begins to change when Bia uncovers an array of erotic books in the library. Even Maria Helena cannot deny the impact the explicit photographs of girls snogging each other, using dildos etc, have on her.

Back at their students' residence, Maria Helena excuses herself to go and pee, but is interrupted when Bia enters and reveals that she likes to watch. Maria Helena is having none of it, however, and the matter is soon swept under the carpet. But as the girls settle in their apartment later that evening to further read their new literature, it seems inevitable that that very same carpet will be getting munched before too long.

Sure enough, Bia seduces Maria Helena by first caressing her groin with one of her mighty fine legs. By now, Bia's tits are out and her studious friend's glasses are off. Yes - they're going to have some fun.

Building slowly to an erotic if somewhat tame finale, the first yarn hinges on a slight twist revealed in the final lines of dialogue.

But what makes this opening tale more interesting is the playful flirtatiousness of the two girls, who both turn in likeable performances and have hot bodies once they're unveiled. A sense of the inevitable heightens the anticipation and, while the final 10 minutes don't give as much as has been suggested, they're fun regardless.

The second story focuses on a wealthy man who has met an attractive lady at a party. As their night comes to an end they take a drive in his sports car and park at the top of a quiet hill, where they contemplate their next move.

The man suggests they retire to his home. The woman accepts the invitation, and seems happy when they arrive to discover that they are alone: he has given his two servants the weekend off.

But then, the man drops a bombshell: he believes meaningless sex to be tedious, and prefers to get to know his woman first. A cheeky little subversion of expected sexual morals, perhaps.

So, it's up to the woman to take the lead and get into the bashful man's bed ... which she makes a start on by walking in on him in the shower. Cue a scene where he treats her - and us, unfortunately - to a soapy waxing of his bollocks. What a tease.

From there, there is another minor twist in store but not before the pair engage in some genuinely erotic petting.

The final story, the most intriguing of the three on offer, plays more like an extremely laidback noir scenario: a young man reluctantly serves a blind woman at her plush home, gradually growing ever more resentful by her austere ways.

Another twist is in store, come the end of this dark and brooding finale. True, it never reaches the erotic heights of the preceding tale, but is an intriguing little meditation on power and control regardless.

Perhaps somewhat misleadingly titled, PORNO is not about wall-to-wall explicit sex. In fact, its filth content is more or less on a par with the likes of EMANNUELLE or THE STORY OF O: tits, bush, a bit of exposed labia occasionally and the infrequent sight of a semi-erect penis.

What it is, however, is stylishly shot and quietly involving as each story observes Brazilian attitudes towards sex and sexuality. A modicum of humour helps alleviate a sense of academia that could have otherwise rendered the whole thing laborious, while the erotic nature of the slow-building seduction scenes should pacify anyone miffed at the lack of hardcore sleaze.

The film is co-directed by three people (one for each segment): John Doo, Luiz Castellini and co-star/producer David Cardoso (better-known in his home country these days as a TV actor). As a result, the pace is unsurprisingly uneven. But the tone is fairly consistent throughout.

The music on the film works well, a curious mix of score, pop songs and excerpts from the DEEP RED soundtrack.

Well-lit and shot by cinematographer Claudio Portioli, decently acted and proficiently edited, PORNO is a low-key but sincere affair that is deserving of its American DVD debut.

Speaking of which, PORNO comes to DVD courtesy of Impulse Pictures, an offshoot of Synapse Films. They've graced it with a very respectable-looking 1.33:1 transfer. This aspect ratio is correct, and framing is attractive throughout. Colours are accurate, blacks remain solid and compression is never evident. All in all, this is a sharp and fairly clean presentation. There are minor specks and minimal grain evident, but neither spoils what is in essence a surprisingly nice transfer.

Portuguese audio is provided in 2.0 and is clear throughout. Free from background noise or dropout, there is no room for concern here. Optional English subtitles are easy to read and well-written.

The disc opens straight into its static main menu page. A single-page scene-selection menu is also static, and allows access to the main feature via 12 chapters. Both offerings are very basic and do not contain audio of any description. This is a shame, as the opening theme tune is particularly great in a cheesy 80s disco fashion.

There are no extras.

PORNO is an atmospheric oddity, and one that builds after a middling first hour to a surprisingly effective, dark climax. Impulse have furnished the film with a decent presentation for this most welcome DVD release.

Review by Stuart Willis