International Sex Workers Day Watchlist: 38 Films Exploring Sex Work On Screen

These stories examine pornography, stripping, escorting and survival sex work through lenses ranging from fantasy and glamour to violence, loneliness and reinvention

By: The Lace Ledger Staff

In honour of International Sex Workers Day (June 2), this watchlist explores the many ways sex work has been portrayed across film and television; from glamour and fantasy to survival, exploitation, performance and economic reality. According to the International Union of Sex Workers, there are 52 million sex workers globally; 41.6 million of which are female. Though, researchers note the true number is likely far higher due to stigma, criminalization and underreporting.

These stories do not present one singular experience. Instead, they reveal how deeply conversations surrounding labour, gender, intimacy, class and power have always been intertwined with the people working at the centre of them.