Adult Industry Remembers Awarded Director Candida Royalle

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—That director Candida Royalle was a ground-breaker in adult film is beyond question. With just 17 movies in her directorial portfolio, roughly 60 as a hardcore actress and non-sex appearances in several others, her legend has grown over the years, culminating in her having been awarded a doctorate in human sexuality last year, based on not only her movies but her political activism as well—and the industry has been quick to voice its reverence for this amazing woman. "In 1984, at a time where the first feminist porn movement was at its peak and when 'feminist porn' was also the ultimate oxymoron, she founded her own adult film company, Femme Productions," director Petra Joy wrote of Royalle in The Telegraph (UK). "The old boys club that ran the porn industry at the time was bemused and did not expect what was to come: Candida produced and directed 17 award-winning films, including her debut Femme, the Eyes of Desire series and Stud Hunters. She was way ahead of her time and proved to be right—women were voyeurs too and the moment was ripe and ready to produce porn from a female perspective. "So what made her porn different from mainstream porn, created by men and for men? Put simply—Candida prioritized women's pleasure and orgasms," Joy continued. "And she didn't end every scene with the male ejaculation—the so called 'money shot'. She featured a variety of sensual and sexual play rather than shooting what she used to call 'predictable and soulless porn painted by numbers.' Her films showed hot men who were skilled lovers, ran credible storylines that were full of humour and spoke to a large audience who were tired of soulless wham-bam-thank you-mam porn. She was a very skilled business woman but was never motivated by financial gain. She created her films because she had a burning desire to put female sexuality on the map, inspire other women to live out their fantasies, and bring pleasure to people’s bedrooms." Joy also recalled being with Royalle in 2009 when both women won the first Poryes Award in Berlin, and again in 2013, when Joy asked Royalle to join her on the stage when Joy won the Dusk TV Porna Award in Amsterdam. "She was, as someone said on Facebook, the Grace Kelly of porn—a sophisticated and beautiful woman of incredible integrity, big enough to allow others to shine," Joy added. "As a woman who directs, produces and publishes pornography, there’s not a day which goes by without me thinking about the life and work of Candida Royalle," began the article "In Memory of Candida Royalle, Pioneer of Women’s Erotica" by Angie Rowntree, later adding,  "Where most other feminists of her generation saw in pornography nothing but the potential for further exploitation, subjugation and degradation of women, Candida saw how erotica could be a freeing and empowering area of expression, allowing women to take agency over their sexuality in a way no other artistic medium could. "What has united Candida’s work, the common thread throughout it all, is a commitment to the principle that women have the right to explore, enjoy and celebrate their sexuality, openly and proudly, without taking any kind of metaphorical back seat to men," Rowntree declared. "Candida’s work tells us—screams at us, even—that women's pleasure matters, not just men's." Another of Royalle's admirers was Jill Nelson, author of Golden Goddesses: 25 Legendary Women of Classic Erotic Cinema, 1968-1985, who recorded Royalle's self-examination of why she went into adult entertainment in the first place. "I had gone into therapy to understand why I did what I did," Royalle had told Nelson. "After much reading and exploring, and looking at it through a historical perspective as well as my own personal perspective, I decided there was nothing wrong with performing sexually with others for others to view, and enjoy, and learn from. I felt that the pornography that existed reflected a society that had great conflict about sexuality and that there was no woman's voice. We were not getting a whole lot out of these films other than easy jerk-off material. Of course, that got me to thinking that it would be interesting to create movies that had a woman's voice that actually had good information, and that people could actually learn something... "I worry about all of the young women coming into the adult industry now, and not having the wherewithal to go into therapy," Royalle properly cautioned young actresses. "I'm sorry; you can't do something that's this controversial and taboo without having some conflict about it, and in some way, it stays with people for the rest of your life. Even through we know that there's nothing wrong with what we did, a lot of people are going to judge you for it. If I had the wherewithal and the inclination, I would start some kind of place for women to come and get counseling because they're going to need it. It's not as if I'd be telling them, 'You're a sick person' or 'you're a bad person.' Just talk about it and make sure you're OK with it because it's the only way to stand up to people's judgments." On a more personal note, Nelson described some of her own interactions with her subject. "Intelligent, articulate, insightful, sincere, gracious and thorough, I was greatly appreciative of her time. In 2012, while visiting New York City, Candida invited me and a couple of friends to join Candida, Gloria Leonard, and some old friends at the West 79th St. Marina in Manhattan for a few sun-drenched hours. It was a spectacular afternoon, one in which I will never forget. "In compiling Golden Goddesses, interview sessions with Candida stand out as some of the most fascinating and informative, as Royalle spoke with reverence and sensitivity with respect to her childhood, teen years, feminism, her foray into adult films and eventual transition to directing with a focus on couples, eroticism and romance when she launched her own company Femme Productions in the early '80s. One of the true giants of the erotic and feminist movements, Candida's Royalle's legacy will burn eternal, through her stellar work, her gutsy actions, and the power of her own words." Also weighing in was Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals, writing for the website Uproxx.com. "Royalle helped shape the landscape of contemporary erotica, both as a media form and as a modern workplace," Tibbals, a noted sociologist, wrote. "She challenged porn's narrative status quo by asserting there was a space for her unique vision decades ago, setting the stage for myriad perspectives we see in adult content production today. And though the idea of women working in porn may still seem outlandish to some, the fact remains that women work in every occupation, at every level, in adult entertainment. This is due in part to the barriers Royalle broke via her own career." And speaking of actresses, several current and highly respected adult performers also had good words for the departed legend. "To say I'm grateful for Candida Royalle's contribution to womankind would be a gross understatement," said Wicked Pictures contract player Asa Akira. "I've never met her in person—and I'm sad I won't have the chance now—but her spirit, dedication, and bravery are things I carry with me nonetheless. I thank her for her time here." "While Candida Royalle wasn't the first female director of pornography, she had a major part in forging the path so many pornographers are able to take today," declared former Digital Playground star Stoya. "Directors and production companies who cater to groups other than the raincoated punter, female performers who create and control their own performances, and all pornographers who wrestle for platforms from which to speak authoritatively on our own experiences in sex work without being silenced—we all owe our own work to what has been built on hers." Ever succinct and to the point, award-winning actress/director Kayden Kross added, "She was a true revolutionary who paved the way for female directors in this industry." Royalle's passing was also noted in several high-profile mainstream media outlets, including The Daily Mail (UK), The Toronto Sun, The New York Post, as well as outlets in France, Denmark and Romania. Pictured: Candida Royalle with Lailani during the production of Pizza Girls (1978). Photo courtesy of Howie Gordon.