Je Reviens: French Star François Sagat on His Return to Porn

This article originally ran in the August 2017 issue of AVN magazine. Click here to see the digital edition. François Sagat is arguably the biggest gay porn star of the millennium. Debuting in 2005, the Parisian performer was instantly in massive demand right across the globe, appearing in more than 65 major films, many for Titan Media and Raging Stallion—some of them among the most famous porn movies in history. Sagat was last seen in gay porn in 2012 in Titan’s Incubus 2: The Final Chapter, which he also directed, and then he declared his retirement online the following year. After leaving the adult industry, Sagat found success with art, music, film and video projects as well as the launch of his own clothing brand. The French sex symbol made his presence felt in mainstream media, getting exposure in numerous magazines and surrounding himself with renowned fashion, film and artistic figures. Sagat’s credits include Hollywood films as well, among them Saw VI and L.A. Zombie, directed by Bruce LaBruce. The buff, stylish star has been seen on the pages of Loverboy, Satellite, C Homme, Dull, Instinct and many others. And now—five years later, and a decade after he was named Performer of the Year at the 2007 GAYVN Awards—Sagat is back and shooting again. In June, the French hottie revealed his return on Twitter with a tweet that read, “Oops I did it again!” The “it” in question was a shoot for Men.com that featured Sagat sitting on British porn phenomenon Paddy O’Brian’s thick shaft—the first scene in a three-part series called Dream Fucker. Alter Sin, director of Men.com, expressed his enthusiasm. “Shooting with François Sagat was a total dream,” Sin said. “I feel tremendously honored and privileged to have met and worked alongside such a sensational character. Not only is François Sagat an unstoppable force to be reckoned with, but he carries himself in a very professional manner, which makes him even more of a delight to work with! We’re very excited about the Dream Fucker series and hope that it’s reflected in our work!” A representative of Men.com spoke to AVN about the three-scene project: “The plan was for Men.com to be the first exclusive site for François’s comeback. We would love to see more of François with Men.com, but for now the Dream Fucker three-part series is his only current scene with us. I guess everyone will have to stay tuned to see where François will appear next! ... One thing is for certain: It is great to have one of the biggest names in the industry back.” Another thing that’s certain: Shortly after his return, Sagat shot with director LaBruce and CockyBoys; those scenes will debut on CockyBoys.com in October and the as-yet-untitled DVD will be released before the end of the year. Reporter Paul Stag got an exclusive interview with Sagat. Below are Sagat’s answers to his questions. Paul Stag: So, let’s start with the big news. We have all seen your 15-second “Disneyland” retirement clip in 2013 online. But now, to your fans’ excitement and delight, you are back doing gay porn. What’s the story? François Sagat: Well, it was 2013, I was really “not into it.” My commitment wasn’t there, and I just made a decision as it just was not fun anymore. But now I have just changed my mind—yes, simply. I said in an interview that if I came back to porn after the retirement in 2013, it would be because I would be “desperate.” Is that the case today? Maybe ... Am I bored lately? Yes. Do I need extra cash? Everyone needs that … But the main thing that’s missing, and the real truth is, I’m a fucking exhibitionist and I love to have sex on camera ... that’s all. I have been missing the shoots but also hanging out with boys from different studios/countries/the crews etc. I missed it, and it’s fun. Filming gay porn is fun, so I’m back. Is the scene for Men.com with Paddy O’Brian a one-off or is there more on the way? It is the first scene from three united scenes on the same subject: DREAM, Fantasy and Sensorial Connection. I am very happy about this first scene, but parts two and three are fantastic also and I am very proud of them. And it was great working with the Men.com team. What do you think of the current state of the gay porn industry in 2017, with much older “daddy” stars like Rocco Steele, Dolf Dietrich and Dallas Steele, the dominance of bareback studios in the wake of PrEP, and every star starting his own online production studio? I have no specific opinion to give about it, except that I also jerk off to a lot of that porn and it’s hot. I don’t think we should over-analyze the actual global gay porn industry. It evolves—that’s the way it is. We are not in the VHS/DVD era anymore ... that’s far gone. There were few studios, few porn superstars back then, but today is today and there are a lot of appealing new forms of sex expression and pornography. I wish I could have the balls to launch my own porn website, but I don’t think this is something I’m capable of ... it seems too abstract. I don’t know. PrEP is PrEP—it’s giving a new perspective, technically speaking, good for the viewers! ... But how far this is gonna last before new mutations and strains! Zombie porn?? Oh, well—I did it first with Bruce LaBruce! I love daddies and I love BelAmi. Basically, I love all men. Do you watch gay porn yourself? And if so, which studios, directors and stars do you admire and which get you off? I watch gay porn, I jerk off a lot ... I watch dirty stuff, vanilla stuff ... young, musclemen, jocks, bears ... everything. I am more aroused by strangers or unknown performers ... I had a big crush on Brandon [SeanCody.com] since the very first scenes I’ve seen of him ... just the way he was passionate on camera. My first porn obsession was Dred Scott for Titan Men in the early 2000s, and he still is a fantasy. Currently, I’m not into bondage myself but it’s so aesthetic to watch ... BoundGods, Kink.com, etc. I think many of those scenes are timeless ... and I’ve always been fond of the classical masculine Titan Men features [Sagat’s home studio for many years] mixed with hardcore fetish practices. I’ve never worked for Chi Chi [LaRue], but that would be great ... she’s a superstar. Your last adult films were Incubus and Incubus 2 in 2011 and 2012, when you had full control to write, produce, cast and direct. How was working behind the camera instead of in front? I’m super happy that I tried it and did it this way, but I really don’t think I have the skills to be a great director ... maybe just an art director? Directing actors is so technical and outside of my comfort zone ... damn!  I’m glad that Incubus did well. ... Despite my non-commercial ideas and script, we managed to manufacture a real great porn product, with great sex, great visuals, action, effects—that was the goal. And that “movie pack” is MEMORABLE. Your gay porn “retirement” in 2013 actually seemed to start one of the busiest and most creative times of your life. When you look back on the last five years, which highlights spring to mind and which ones are you most proud of?  I like to move on ... and not look back too much. But it was a little bit arrogant from me to think that I would be able to make my porn career be forgotten about. You don’t sweep six to seven years of porn and then pretend to be an artist or art performer or a muse. I hate this word “muse “ ... I never really said that, but that’s the perception most of people had. There were some mistakes, some lazy choices as well, and some marvelous decisions. Those last five years were still a transition, and I still think that I’m always in this transient state of mind; at least that makes me want to move forward. There are only so many hours in a day. As a successful mainstream movie actor, adult performer, fashion model, brand and clothing designer, video performer, music producer, director, artist, star of documentaries, etc., what is your priority at the moment and what area do you want to focus on most in the future?  Well, you may have said it, but I think “successful” is just one angle. My perception of all that is that NOTHING or no area is wholly me. I’m still not accomplished in most of those areas and all of that stays behind for now. I am not currently working on anything that keeps me busy every day of the week. I have no current “career plan”; I have no project on how to rule the world. ... And I’m a little bit skeptical at the moment. ... We will see!  At the moment I am excited about being part of this new music video project of this amazing singer, Sevdaliza. It’s called “Bluecid.” You have the most famous tattoos in gay porn ever, especially your legendary scalp tattoo. How do you feel about them now? My head tattoo was never retouched since the first time it was done 14 years ago. ... It’s fading away and I’m so happy about it now ... this is the smartest thing I’ve ever done in my life. LOL ... for the other tattoos: they’re DUMB. Aside from your many work projects, what interests François Sagat personally? And as all your countless fans would most like to know, are you still single? I may not be single in 2018 anymore! How can your fans follow you online and stay in touch with Sagat World and all its many exciting facets? The most radical way would be to follow me on Instagram: @francoisssagat, with three S’s. And Twitter, @SagatFrancois, with more NSFW content ... and FrancoisSagat.com for more chosen, specific updates.