Afrodite Superstar Review

Candida Royalle's Afrodite Superstar (2007)

Afrodite Superstar is a unique and unusual film. I think it's fair to say that this movie goes closer to the mainstream than almost any porn production on the market. The high quality of this movie raises the bar for future adult films, and that's a great thing.

This is the first from Candida Royalle's new line of Femme Chocolat films, made specifically for women of color. The aim is to offer erotic content to women without all the usual insulting racism that infests many porn films.

Indeed, there are high ideals behind Afrodite Superstar. This movie speaks with the voice of young African American women, a voice that hasn't really been heard before in porn. It demands that women of color be allowed to define their own sexuality, without all the usual stereotypes or negativity. It preaches a vision of self-awareness and self-love, a positive message that is most welcome.

Simone Valentino plays Afrodite, a "black American princess" who dreams of becoming a rap music star. Thanks to the handsome mogul CEO (Mr. Marcus), her ambitions are realised and she's soon driving Hummers, lip syncing her songs and having wardrobe malfunctions. But as Afrodite is enveloped in a superficial (and fake) world of "gansta" rap she begins to question her own choices... and to lust after CEO.

Amidst fully-fledged rap songs (and videos), video-diary segments, fake TV shows and much plot-related goings-on, the film offers five sex scenes - four straight male-female encounters and a girl-girl scene. These are all enjoyable enough, although quite softcore. The camera tends to avoid close-ups so if you're after detail you'll be disappointed.

By far the best scene is the final one between Simone and Mr Marcus - this alone is worth the "ticket price." This couple really spark and the screen just shimmers with the erotic intensity between them. They smile and laugh as they make love, whispering little instructions as they pleasure each other. It's intimate yet hardcore and gives us a very good idea of what the perfect porn sex scene should look like. Apparently the two stars continued to play long after the cameras were turned off, which gives you some idea of how hot it is to watch.

I will say that Afrodite Superstar is essentially an indie movie with hardcore sex added and sometimes it feels as though the sex scenes don't really fit. Beyond the final climax, the erotic encounters here don't add much to the plot and tend to feel a bit tacked on. That's fine if you're just after a simple porn movie, but I couldn't help but feel that this film was aiming higher and couldn't quite get there.

First-time director Venus Hottentot is an art school graduate who has previously made short films but has never had any experience with the porn industry. This means she brings a fresh perspective that really enhances the film but it also suggests that she's had to mould herself and the movie to fit in with the genre.

Is that a problem? Perhaps not. Venus has shown that it's possible to create an engaging, enjoyable film with hardcore sex in it. She's also proved that porn stars can act - Simone, Mr Marcus and India are all superb to watch. I've read that all the stars took acting lessons before filming and the results are apparent.

I liked this movie, even though I came to it thinking it wouldn't be my thing. I'm not a fan of rap, you see, and I'm also not black, which meant I wasn't really the target audience. Despite this, I enjoyed it. Rest assured, this movie is accessable and entertaining, no matter who you are. It draws you into the world of Afrodite and makes you care about what happens to her (how many porn films can you say this about?). And the final scene is just so fabulous that I could probably have endured Eminem just to get there.

I recommend it.

Starring: Simone Valentino, India, Mr. Marcus, Justin Long, Sativa Verte, Liliana Velasquez, Revay, Jay Junker
Director: Venus Hottentot
Studio: Femme Chocolat and Adam and Eve Productions

Available From
Ms Naughty store: DVD
Gamelink: DVD
Sex Superstore: DVD

Reviewed May 2007