In further evidence that human beings are becoming increasingly entangled with technology, a new “5D” porn theatre opened on Saturday. Visitors were able to enjoy 3D erotic films created in collaboration with porn star Kim Holland, in addition to the fifth-dimensional extras.
“5dporn is the first 5D sex experience in the world,” explained Nathalie, the theatre's owner, to VT. "You cannot compare it to other erotic shows because in other erotic shows, you only look and in our cinema you see, feel, hear, move and experience."
The specialist cinema, simply dubbed “5dporn”, is located in Amsterdam’s Red Light District and offers audiences seats which bounce and vibrate as well as air jets and water cannons. "Another difference," Nathalie adds, "is that our movie is really funny, it is not meant to be getting you horny, we made it so people can really have fun."
Perhaps not as seedy as it might seem, the film does have something of a narrative rather than comprising entirely of hardcore pornography. “It is about a guy coming to Amsterdam and enjoying everything the Red Light has to offer,” Nathalie explains. “He will visit a coffee shop, visit the famous Bananenbar, will have a massage and sex in a bubble bath, go to the windows, will have some soft S&M, will have a blowjob in a boat - The nice thing is that it is a story and not only sex.”
Furthermore, the show isn’t short of the all-important extras which make this a 5D experience. They include: “Moving seats, back vibration, wind, water, snow, lights and even a whip in an S&M scene.” This is all for a fee of €12.50 ($14).
As for the clientele, Nathalie explains that they have welcomed “all kinds of people”. She continues: “We noticed that women and couples like it too because they can experience the Red Light in a different way. The movie is very funny and not trashy at all. People are not shocked when they come out. They are amused and had a good laugh.”
However, Amsterdam has long been viewed as Europe’s “Sin City” due to the proliferation of sex shows and brothels. This is in addition to “coffee shops” where the sale and use of cannabis are tolerated by authorities.
Brothels in Amsterdam were originally gambling houses which provided board for prostitutes. Though a number of bans drove it underground, prostitution has been legal in the Red Light District for hundreds of years.
By comparison, the marriage of erotic pleasure and computer technology is a relatively recent union. “In our movie, it is not going too far for sure,” Nathalie explains. “This marriage is an innocent one.”
However, the advent of “sex robots” has beckoned in an age in which people are questioning whether cutting-edge technology should be used for sexual pleasure. French company Xdolls, for instance, offers a brothel-like setup where clients spend some alone-time with a range of robotic sex dolls.
At a rate of €89 ($100) per hour, punters may use a private room - termed a “game space” - which is equipped with a non-human companion. The address of Xdolls is secret, but it is located somewhere in the 14th arrondissement of Paris.
However, the company is not without its detractors. Lorraine Questieux of the anti-prostitution group Mouvement du Nid stated that it is "a place that makes money from simulating the rape of a woman". While raising important questions about the industry’s responsibility not to encourage violent or controlling behaviour, Questieux was still effectively saying that sexual intercourse with an object should be illegal.
As well as being a fly-to destination for culture, Amsterdam is somewhat notorious. However, the Netherlands is heralded by many as a shining example of how to apply a hands-off approach to policing and policy. “I think it is fine that the Netherlands is liberal,” explains Nathalie. “It is better to be liberal than to have everything covered. It will happen anyway so why not be open about it and try to regulate?”
As for the increasingly technological future of sex and erotic pleasure, Nathalie believes it’s already here. Asked if sex shows and pornography will become increasingly virtual, she tells me “I think that is happening already”.
With every form of new technology, there have been naysayers and traditionalists providing stern warnings - that the motorcar is possessed by evil spirits, that video games will turn children against their parents and that the internet will cause Armageddon. However, something about mixing technology and sexual pleasure truly upsets people. That said, the two are becoming ever more entwined. As to whether or not this is a good thing, I’ll leave you to decide.
