Kink.com Documentary Trailer Debuts, Peter Acworth Pens Huff Post Column

SAN FRANCISCO — Mainstream’s love affair with porn continues with Entertainment Weekly’s release today of the highly anticipated trailer from actor James Franco’s documentary on BDSM giant Kink.com.

The movie, directed by Franco’s go-to cinematographer Christina Voros is premiering at this week’s Sundance Film Festival.

Entertainment Weekly reported, “the movie completely revels in a world where ropes and bondage are joyful ways of expressing lust  — and we’re talking way more ‘discipline’ than ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’

“It’s stuffed with footage of buff guys getting trussed up and a red-haired female porn director ordering porn actors to scream or be spanked. The mood is totally, unequivocally gleeful, and unabashedly NSFW.”

A synopsis of the documentary on the Kinkdoc.com promo site deftly describes the film. “Director Christina Voros and producer James Franco pull back the curtain on the fetish empire of Kink.com, the Internet’s largest producer of BDSM content. In a particularly obscure corner of an industry that operates largely out of public view, Kink.com’s directors and models strive for authenticity. In an enterprise often known for exploitative practices, Kink.com upholds an ironclad set of values to foster an environment that is safe, sane, and consensual. They aim to demystify the BDSM lifestyle, and to serve as an example and an educational resource for the BDSM community.

“In 'Kink' we discover not only a fascinating and often misunderstood subculture, but also, in a career far from the mainstream, a group of intelligent, charismatic, and driven people who really, truly love what they do.”

Commenting on the making of the documentary, Franco told Entertainment Weekly, “I was surprised at how comfortable that [Kink Armory] environment was. The expectation is it would be a sleazy place. It’s because everybody who works there is on board. They’re all willing participants. Nobody’s being exploited. Everyone’s a willing participant. They gave me a tour and let me watch one of the videos being made. I thought, ‘This is fascinating and important and my preconceptions have been blown away.’ Just that day, I knew I wanted to make a documentary of that place.”

Other news from Kink’s San Francisco Armory headquarters includes CEO Peter Acworth’s Op-Ed piece that appeared in yesterday’s San Francisco Huffington Post focusing on “Why Kink Matters.”

Acworth lays out his impressive academic credentials (with an early eye on becoming a Wall Street bond guru), the impetus behind the founding of Kink.com and his personal and candid feelings about the BDSM lifestyle.

“As someone who has grown up with these feelings, I believe that the widespread availability of erotica depicting diverse sexual acts is a very good thing. Anyone with a fetish is likely to find content that appeals to them specifically and thus feel less isolation, shame or confusion. Such negative emotions about sexuality are not healthy for any of us,” Acworth wrote.

The executive solidly imparted Kink’s core mission to "to demystify and celebrate alternative sexualities."

Acworth also noted Franco’s documentary on the company and said that although some viewers may be offended by what Kink does  — thinking it’s perverse or immoral — he hopes that most will understand why the creators do what they do and see Kink with “entirely new set of eyes.”

The NSFW trailer of the documentary can be seen here.

Screenings of the documentary at the Sundance Film Festival being on Jan. 19.

Related:  

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

Hailey Rose Heats Up the Fall Issue of X3 Magazine

2025 XMA Fav Female Performer Hailey Rose headlines the latest issue of X3 magazine, the industry’s premier “authenticity first” publication spotlighting the real personalities, passions and stories behind today’s top creators.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, the latest edition of Europe’s biggest adult industry conference, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel in Amsterdam.

Angie Faith's 'Blueprint' for Success

Angie Faith has two reasons to celebrate. First, the veterinarian just gave her Japanese Chin puppy, Cheeky, a clean bill of health after Cheeky unwisely ate a stray piece of Lego.

Cherie DeVille Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Cherie DeVille stars with 2024 XMAs Male Performer of the Year Zac Wild in the latest Brazzers scene, titled “Cock Support Line.”

Sara Jay, Dan Leal to Sponsor XBIZ Amsterdam Kick-Off Event

Sara Jay’s Wyde Syde Productions and Porno Dan Leal’s Market64 will co-sponsor the Bottoms Up Day Drinking kick-off event for XBIZ Amsterdam 2025 at Excalibur Café on Sept. 2, from 2-4 p.m. (CET).

Connie Perignon Fronts Latest From Brazzers VR

Connie Perignon stars in the latest release from Brazzers VR, titled "A Sugar Daddy’s Point of View."

Octokuro Leads Latest Release From Freeze

Octokuro stars with Sam Bourne in "A Dangerous Encounter" from Freeze.

Lauren Phillips Stars in Latest Episode of 'Mommy's Boy'

2024 XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Lauren Phillips stars with Lawson Jones in the latest episode of Adult Time series “Mommy’s Boy,” titled “He Doesn't Know Me...But You Do.”

Mag Numb Makes Her Debuts for Parasited, Vampired

Mag Numb has made her Parasited and Vampired debuts in the latest Roberto Di Suna-helmed releases from the respective studios.

Equentus Media Names Livie Blainn Content Curator, Bree Austin COO

Equentus Media has named Livie Blainn as its new curator for content and marketing, and Bree Austin as its COO.

Show More