Joe D'Amato's 1980 erotic drama Orgasmo nero (literally, "Black Orgasm") takes us on a journey to a Caribbean island, where passion, desire, and unrestrained sexuality await.
Paul (Richard Harrison) is a researcher on a Caribbean island who is joined by his wife, Helen (Nieves Navarro). Helen, sexually frustrated, soon forms an intimate bond with a native girl, Haini (Lucia Ramirez), and their relationship quickly becomes sexual. Helen even brings Haini back to her home, setting off a chain of dramatic and titillating events.
Orgasmo nero is a classic example of D'Amato's unique style, blending sex and horror, though this entry leans more heavily into the former. It is known for its explicit sexual content, including both heterosexual and lesbian encounters, earning its place in the canon of sexploitation cinema.
The film delivers on its promise of eroticism, with D'Amato crafting a narrative that holds attention and stimulates the senses. However, it falls into some of the same traps as other D'Amato films, with a runtime that feels excessive and pacing that drags in certain parts.
One of the most memorable aspects of Orgasmo nero is its setting. The Caribbean island provides a lush and exotic backdrop, adding to the sense of liberation and hedonism that permeates the film. The use of location also contributes to the sense of "other-ness" that enhances the film's themes of sexual exploration and transgression.
The performances in Orgasmo nero are serviceable, with Navarro and Ramirez embracing their roles and delivering the necessary chemistry to sell the erotic storyline. Keep an eye out for a particularly steamy scene between them, where a naked Navarro, with her hairy vagina on full display, passionately locks lips with Ramirez, their bodies entwined in a sensual embrace. It's a moment that encapsulates the film's unapologetic celebration of female desire and pleasure.
However, despite its strengths, Orgasmo nero fails to reach the heights of infamy achieved by some of D'Amato's other works, such as Porno Holocaust and Erotic Nights of the Living Dead. While it delivers on the sexual content, the horror elements are largely absent, aside from brief appearances in the opening and closing scenes.
In conclusion, Orgasmo nero is a film that will appeal to fans of D'Amato's unique brand of sleaze and eroticism. While it may not revolutionize the genre, it provides a stimulating viewing experience.
