LOS ANGELES — Wicked Pictures has unveiled the box cover for director Brad Armstrong's "Jessica Drake Is Wicked," which showcases the 2018 XBIZ Awards host in all her glory.
"Jessica Drake Is Wicked" features Drake in five cinematic fantasies that "redefine and transcend the boundaries of traditional mainstream erotica," several of which XBIZ was granted exclusive access to for on-set coverage.
"This showcase by Brad Armstrong features highly stylized vignettes, each with a different theme," Drake revealed. "I consider it to be one of the most introspective movies I’ve ever made. I challenge the viewer to dismantle their perceptions about what porn is and who the performers are. It’s definitely a statement piece, and I’m forever grateful to Wicked Pictures for demolishing stereotypes and for supporting films which create a dialogue about human sexuality.”
According to a studio rep, "Within the film, Drake explores fluidity in perceived gender norms and sexual preferences, demonstrating without reservation that sexuality, and its expression, is limitless and beautiful. This cinematic tour de force has proven transformative not only for Jessica but for the adult genre as a whole, with industry press and mainstream media outlets alike noting the movie’s rich and varied vignettes include a transgender scene pairing the Wicked Girl with trans superstars Venus Lux, Aubrey Kate and Domino Presley.
"Jessica is quick to credit Armstrong's visual sense with making the film such an impactful experience, from a hyperreal ‘Cirque du Sex’ featuring Abella Danger, Angela White, Vicki Chase, Brandy Aniston and Anikka Albrite to an intense interracial blowbang and much more," they added.
Drake enthused, “I’m very grateful for our Wicked visionary, Brad Armstrong. With his amazing art direction, set design, wardrobe and styling ability, he created aesthetically sensual environments for some of the best sex cameras have ever captured! This movie is also a showcase for him as well — it showcases his talent as a truly gifted director.” Her other companions on this "stylish voyage into desire" include Anna Bell Peaks, Lily Lane, Sarah Jessie, Ricky Johnson, Will Havoc, Isiah Maxwell, Small Hands, Dirk Huge, Rob Piper and Ryan Driller.
"From the future shock of 'DNA' and 'Sexbots' to the lush tableaus of desire and abandon depicted in 'Fallen' and 'Underworld,' Armstrong/Drake collaborations invariably deliver spectacular art direction, lush eroticism and flourishes of dark fantasy," stated a company rep. "Fittingly, these trademark aesthetics are on powerful display throughout 'Jessica Drake is Wicked's generous two and a half hour running time."
“Brad Armstrong is my favorite director to work for,” Drake said. “Nothing compares to his artistic vision and his attention to detail. I love that he pushes me and constantly challenges me not only to do more but to also to do it better. I know that I can count on him to bring out the very best in everyone. Everything about 'Jessica drake Is Wicked' is visually captivating thanks to his vision —the cast, the amazing wardrobe, the art direction and the phenomenal locations. A movie of this magnitude demands excellence from everyone involved, and I couldn't have had a more talented director, a better crew or a better cast to bring this ambitious showcase to life."
For his part, Armstrong remarked, “Jessica was a real trooper. A lot of showcases get shot over a long period of time, sometimes weeks or even months between scenes. We shot a-day-on-a-day-off all the whole way through, so she definitely had her work cut out for her. She had sex with 18 people over the five-day span of the movie, 15 of whom she'd never worked with before."
Reflecting on his creative choices, Armstrong added, "It was great to just do ‘art for art’s sake’ again; styling people to make them look their best and building a cool set where once there was nothing is really satisfying. We got a lot of amazing visuals in every scene, and although each of the concepts is incredibly diverse we seemed to outdo ourselves as the shoot went on. Kudos to the cinematographers, Barrett Blade and Alex Ladd, as well as my set-and-props team, Andy Appleton and Dirk Huge. I couldn't have done it without them."
Both shot and edited in widescreen 16×9 HD, this two-disc Wicked Pictures DVD will include additional content, including three bonus sex scenes, behind-the-scenes coverage, a hardcore still gallery and other added-value items exclusive to the physical release.
“I am grateful to Brad and Wicked for giving me the chance to bring my dreams and fantasies to life,” Drake beamed as she reflects on this groundbreaking production, which will be available as a deluxe two-disc gatefold-sleeved DVD on Sept. 13. “And, most of all, I'm grateful to them for recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion.”
To view the SFW trailer, click here. To learn more, visit Wicked.com. For domestic sales, contact Bonnie Kail at bonnie@wickedpictures.com. For international sales, contact Steven Vlottes at mrvlottes@wickedpictures.com.
