Modern Whore

Insights about the world's oldest profession and the underground of humanity are provocatively revealed in this lively and intriguing documentary about the experiences of Andrea Werhun as an escort and exotic dancer in Toronto. Andrea plays the role of herself, co-writes, and narrates the film. Modern Wh0re aims to move the narratives about sex work beyond the typical "victims and villians" dynamic and bring about a new archetype where the workers are loved by their community and tell their own stories.

The film removes the stigma of shame and erases misconceptions and assumptions that society associates with the sex industry and female pleasure. In doing so it doesn't shy away from the dark side of sex work (lack of trust and protection, and possessive and disrespectful clients, and more). Conversations that Andrea has with her real-life mom and ex-boyfriend, are cathartic, deep, and emotional. Walls are broken down.

It is invigorating in the film that the truth is revealed instead of being ignored and hidden, and that sex-workers are celebrated instead of being shamed. "Shame," says Andrea "is the opposite of truth." Andrea was present at this world-premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.

In sex work both parties feel free to be themselves, knowledge is power, the money is better than minimum wage, humor is essential form of survival, and the keys to being successful include basic things like listening, kindness and respect.

#36thSJIWFF It seems impossible to avoid holding any assumptions or prejudices before you watch a film with such a theme as that - prostitute, sexual relationship, woman's self-awareness, conflict of social perception.

But the film actually surpassed what most people on site thought it was. Firstly, it broke the oldest narrative of the oldest occupation: those who chose to be a prostitute must have a tragic back story and a traumatic memory. In fact, there are many reasons for people to become sex workers, just like why people become a factory mechanic or a supermarket cashier. That is to say, we all trade a part of our body to earn money when we work. Out of work, we're all normal people, like Andrea, who is loved by her boyfriend, her mother, and her besties.

Besides, the film also enlightened me with the concept of men's "trauma porn". I didn't realize so many men are obsessed with and excited about the trauma from the opposite sex until I watched the film. Men not only seek sexual pleasure but also abusive pleasure when they are clients of a sex worker.

All in all, I really appreciate what the crew and cast did. Andrea's personal experience and narrative surely can not represent the whole industry of sex workers, but will definitely be the very first voice to encourage more and more people in the industry to speak out and strive for their rights.