Unrated
Maggie Mae Fish dives into the history of sex, sexuality, and gender in film, from the silent era to sexploitation to modern erotic movies.
Series • 2023 • 1 season
Starring: Maggie Mae Fish
S1 E1 - Before the Hays Code
Maggie Mae Fish (she/her) discusses three early films as examples of radical portrayals of sex, sexuality, and gender. From the homoeroticism of Wings (1927), to the female empowerment of Ecstasy (1933), to the commentary on colorism and mixed-race relationships of Veiled Aristocrats (1932), these old movies were more subversive than you might imagine.
Feb 23, 2023 • 22m
S1 E2 - David Lean: Queer Subtext
Maggie Mae Fish (she/her) explores the work of David Lean, who wasn’t gay himself, but who wove queer themes throughout his filmography. From his early work with the gay writer Noël Coward on Brief Encounter (1945), to the homoerotic subtext of Lawrence of Arabia (1962), to the gender-bending failed romance of Ryan’s Daughter (1970), Lean’s films offer rich subtext, and some surprisingly progressive (though not always) ideas.
Mar 17, 2023 • 41m
S1 E3 - Stephanie Rothman: Feminist Sexploitation
Maggie Mae Fish (she/her) explores the work of Stephanie Rothman, the coolest director you’ve never heard of. The Velvet Vampire (1971), her bisexual vampire film, reflects the anxieties of the sexual revolution. Group Marriage (1973) is a sex comedy that tackles polyamory and marriage equality—both within a marriage, and from a legal standpoint. The Working Girls (1974) portrays the grounded experiences of three women trying to make a living in LA.
Apr 21, 2023 • 41m
S1 E4 - Paul Verhoeven: Classic Cinema + Exploitation
Maggie Mae Fish (she/her) explores the work of Paul Verhoeven, the over-the-top director who melds classical film sensibilities with the ultra-violence and provocative sexual content of exploitation films. Basic Instinct (1992) turned the erotic thriller genre on its head, but haunted Sharon Stone for the rest of her life. Showgirls (1995) asked audiences to identify with the object of the gaze, which ended up being too much to ask at the time. Benedetta (2021) explores the dark side of Catholicism, and the realities of living an authentic life in a society where queer people are erased from reality.
May 19, 2023 • 38m
S1 E5 - Steven Soderbergh: Erotic Intimacy
Maggie Mae Fish (she/her) explores the work of Steven Soderbergh, the director who revolutionized the indie film scene with his breakout erotic feature: sex, lies, and videotape in 1989. Soderbergh offers a more intimate look at sex and sexuality, with characters who search for authenticity in a world that discourages us from being our true selves. The Girlfriend Experience is a micro budget feature starring adult film icon, Sasha Grey, that looks at ultra high class sex work. And Magic Mike launched a wave of erotic films that catered to a presumably female audience
Jun 16, 2023 • 29m
S1 E6 - Cheryl Dunye: Pushing Boundaries
Maggie Mae Fish (she/her) explores the work of Cheryl Dunye, the first out Black lesbian to direct a feature film. In her groundbreaking debut feature, The Watermelon Woman, Dunye explores the history of Black cinema, plus the reality of living in the late 20th century. Her 2001 HBO film, Stranger Inside, is a gritty look at the prison system based on the real life experiences of female prisoners. Mommy Is Coming is a 2012 adult film about pushing sexual boundaries and queer taboos.
Jul 28, 2023 • 31m
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About This Show
Unrated
Maggie Mae Fish dives into the history of sex, sexuality, and gender in film, from the silent era to sexploitation to modern erotic movies.
TV Series • 2023
Details
- First aired
- Feb 23, 2023
- Last aired
- Jul 28, 2023
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 6
- Network
- Nebula
- Studio
- Nebula