Iconic S*x Scenes

Three iconic intimate scenes in cinema from 1996 to now.

1. The Watermelon Woman (1996)

Written, directed, and edited by Cheryl Dunye

Starring: Cheryl Dunye & Guinevere Turner

'The Watermelon Woman' is about a young Black lesbian working to make a film about a Black actress from the 1930s known for playing the stereotypical "mammy" roles given to Black actresses. This the FIRST feature film directed by a Black lesbian and is considered integral to 'New Queer Cinema'.

2. Happy Together (1997)

Director: Wong Kar-wai

Starring: Tony Leung, Leslie Cheung

In the film, the two leads are in bed on a hot South American night. First they kiss, with an explicit passion somewhat unprecedented in the filmography of the director whose films were frequently more about longing. Then they grow mad together. It is as abruptly erotic as their relationship, rocking in bed with reckless abandon.

3. Love (2015)

Director: Gaspar Noé

Starring: Aomi Muyock, Karl Glusman

This film is most notable for its unsimulated sex scenes. According to NPR, "roughly half of Gaspar Noé's "Love" consists of raw, unsimulated sex acts – presented in 3D, no less". Also, most of the intimate scenes were not choreographed.