01 Mar 2008

Rocco Siffredi

He looks a bit like Richard Lewis, doesn't he?

You know that in heterosexual porn, that there are usually two sexes involved. But very, very rarely does much or any of that focus go on the male protagonist. You have to make yourself a BIG star to get noticed.

I guess you can pretty much guess where that comment is going to lead on to in an article about Rocco Siffredi so I won't bother completing the formalities with a very easy joke indeed. Even I'm not that obvious!

It's a strange industry. The power, in terms of direction and the ownership of the studios, is very much with men. But in terms of star power and talent, the women are very much the ones who are right out in front.

Without them, the industry would have much, much less of an influence than it does now. Very few stars of a male nature have made a real, almost pop culture impact to go with the likes of Jenna Jameson and Linda Lovelace.

Siffredi is a strange case really. His movies are often absolutely excellent and very hardcore indeed, and he's become an industry icon without being, arguably, one of its absolute pinnacle level star turns.

Despite that, he's the one who has gone on to star in several (admittedly pretty awful) mainstream art movies, albeit as a 'dick for hire' really, and managed the breakthrough to that level that others have tried and failed with.

Posted by Steve 16:19:00