Manuel Ferrara, Zoe Voss Appear in Indie-Drama 'Starlet'

Manuel Ferrara, Zoe Voss Appear in Indie-Drama 'Starlet'

AUSTIN, Tx. — "Starlet," a new character-driven drama from indie-director Sean Baker ("Prince of Broadway") may have premiered this week at the South by Southwest festival to favorable reviews, but industry pundits are predicting a hard sell for the Freestyle Picture Co. and Cre Film production.

Road blocking the film's path to easy distribution is an explicit sex scene featuring porn stars Manuel Ferrara and Zoe Voss that would, if left unedited, secure the film a dreaded NC-17 rating from the MPAA. 

Set in the San Fernando Valley, "Starlet" examines the budding friendship between Sadie (Besedka Johnson), an elderly widow, and her unlikely new companion Jane (Dree Hemingway), an aimless 21-year-old just breaking into adult.

While the film doesn't focus on Jane's X-rated career, it does eventually arrive at a scene in which she is seen having sex with Ferrara during a porn shoot.

That scene, according to early reviews, graphically depicts oral sex and penetration between Ferrara and Voss, who steps in as Hemingway's body-double. "I'm not concerned about it," Baker told the LA Times' 24 Frames blog. "We obviously know this film will be either unrated or NC-17. There's no way around it. This is how I see it -- the film is for adults, made for adults.

"The state of independent film now anyway, you're going to play a few theaters in the major cities and then do well on [video on demand]," Baker continued. "If anything I could see this only enhancing that. This might even be a film people would be more comfortable watching at home, even though I would love people to see it on the big screen."

"Starlet" plays again at SXSW on Thursday at the Alamo Lamar C.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Elegant Angel Premieres Jennifer White Showcase 'Hollywood Whore'

Jennifer White gets the spotlight in a new six-part showcase release from Elegant Angel.

Autumn Rain Headlines Latest From TransSensual

Autumn Rain stars with Little Puck in “Playtime with a TS MILF,” from TransSensual.

Adult Time Releases New 'Out of the Family' Episodes for 'Steptember'

Adult Time has released new episodes of “Out of the Family,” as part of its “Steptember” series programming.

Alina Lopez Stars in Final Installment of Blacked Feature 'The Blueprint'

Alina Lopez stars with Vixen Media Group exclusive Jason Luv in the final installment of Blacked's new feature, "The Blueprint."

Miss Lexa Makes Her Brazzers Debut

Miss Lexa has made her Brazzers debut alongside JMac in the studio's latest release, titled "Miss Lexa Is a Powerhouse."

Mag Numb Leads Latest From PlantsVsCunts

Mag Numb stars in the latest scene from Hentaied studio brand Plants Vs. Cunts, titled “The Book of Curses.”

Connie Perignon Makes Her Debut for Parasited

Connie Perignon has made her Parasited debut in “A Lesson She Will Payback,” directed by El Pacho.

Aubrey Kate Featured in Latest From Kink.com

Aubrey Kate stars with Sage Roux in the new scene from Kink.com, titled “A Hole for the Prison Guard.”

Stephanie Love, Elise London Topline 'Anal & MILFY' From LeWood

Stephanie Love and Elise London headline "Anal & MILFY," the latest release from directing duo LeWood (Francesca Le and Mark Wood) for Evil Angel.

Girthmasterr Makes His Brazzers Debut

Girthmasterr has made his Brazzers debut alongside Luna Star and multi-XMAs winner Angela White in the studio's latest release, titled "Welcumming Committee."

Show More