Safe Is Desire Review

Distributor: Fatale Media Edition Details: Standard Streaming Movie Specs: Genres: Classic (1990s Shot on Video), Feature Film, Drama, Queer Run Time: 46 minutes Rated: XXX Release Year: 1993 Director: Debi Sundahl Written by: Debi Sundahl Director of Photography: Fawn Yacker Cast: Darby Michael, Christina Lareina, Jessi Ahart, Miss Chevious, Furey, Janet Holman, Baubo, Rogue, Stormy, Mimi=Freed, Idexa, Terry (as Slave Terry), Malia, Franco, Bill Marlow, Andrea M. Coble, Dagmar, Miranda Gardens, Allison Hennessy, Nan Kinney, Elizabeth Marshall, Lauren Miller, Rebecca, Kat I. Slut, Skeeter, Kelly (as Slave Kelly), Pandora Spocks, Karen Everett, Dorothy Wang Release Specs: Audio: English Stereo Subtitles: none Video: Full Frame, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: Streaming Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): N/A Number of discs: N/A

Safe sex and the adult film industry have always been at odds. Adult films, by nature, are contrary to safe sexual practices. During the eighties, the concern about whether adult films should help with safe sex increased due to rising STDs in the adult film acting pool along with the general population. William Higgins' Catalina Video, with the Gay Men's Health Center in New York, made a three-minute precaution short featuring two men and one woman in 1987. William Higgins started putting the video short before the films on Catalina Video's releases; however, the movies contained on the releases continued to depict unsafe sexual practices.

Narrative safe sex movies are rare within the industry. The most notable was Mitchell Brothers Film Group's 1986 monumental flop Behind the Green Door: The Sequel, which starred Missy Manners. Behind the Green Door: The Sequel, which was directed by Artie Mitchell, Jim Mitchell, and Sharon McNight, was an incoherent mess, but did feature sex scenes that illustrated safe sexual practices. Interestingly, Behind the Green Door: The Sequel featured several cast members that were common within Fatale Media's movies, including the director of Safe is Desire, Debi Sundahl. Behind the Green Door: The Sequel was made in conjunction with Missy's Guide to Safe Sex, an educational non-pornographic short movie directed by Artie Mitchell and produced by Mitchell Brothers Film Group and Catalina Video.

This brings us to Safe is Desire, written and directed by Debi Sundahl. Safe is Desire is a safe sex movie intended for a lesbian audience. Safe is Desire is a narrative based movie and is far more successful as a feature movie than Behind the Green Door: The Sequel could ever hope to be.

The story for Safe is Desire is Allie (Christina Lareina) and Dione (Darby Michael) have reached the first time in their relationship when they are going to be intimate. Allie insists on using safe sex techniques, which turns Dione off. Allie convinces Dione to come with her to Club Safe Sex, a lesbian sex club, to see the Safe Sex Sluts (Baubo, Rogue, and Stormy) to learn more about safe sexual practices.

Safe is Desire does a great job of mixing educational safe sex techniques into a cohesive narrative story. The narrative is exciting and keeps the attention of the viewer. The Safe Sex Sluts put on a fun presentation that is enjoyable for the viewer to watch as well as being educational on how women can protect themselves while having sex with other women.

Debi Sandahl has managed to pack the movie with several all-girl sex scenes, each of which exhibits safe sex techniques. The actresses in the movie all do a great job with the sex scenes in the movie, giving performances that all viewers should find pleasurable to watch.

Debi Sandahl has managed to give Safe is Desire a more inclusive feel than one generally gets in a movie designed for lesbians with the characters of Allie's gay roommate Michael (Franco) and his boyfriend (Bill Marlow). Neither has much screen time; however, their inclusion causes Safe is Desire to feel like a far more complete movie.

Safe is Desire is an excellent movie that should be far more widely known than it is currently. Safe is Desire is one of the few movies that has successfully integrated safe sex education with a true narrative story that entertains viewers while also informing them of relevant information. Safe is Desire is highly recommended for all viewers.

The edition of Safe is Desire screened is the streaming-only edition available on PinkLabel.TV.

Fatale Media has done the best possible job they could do with their streaming-only edition of Safe is Desire. Safe is Desire was shot on video, and Fatale Media has made a high definition file from the original 1/2” Digital Betacam master. Safe is Desire is presented in the academy aspect ratio of 1.33:1 pillarboxed to 1.78:1 in approximately 486i. The picture quality looks very good, especially considering the source is a few decades old videotape. There are color issues on roughly one-quarter of the screen at the beginning of the movie. There are a few video glitches during the presentation, and the colors in the movie look great.

Safe is Desire is presented with an English Stereo audio track. The movie sounds good, and there aren't any issues understanding the dialog in the movie.

Fatale Media hasn't included any extras for their streaming-only release of Safe is Desire.

Safe is Desire is a narrative-based safe sex movie intended for lesbian viewers from writer and director Debi Sandahl. Despite being designed for lesbians, Safe is Desire is a great adult movie for all viewers that will not only entertain but will also let the viewer know about various forms of safe sex for women and how to use them. Safe is Desire is well worth watching. Fatale Media has done an excellent job with their streaming-only edition of Safe is Desire on PinkLabel.TV with good picture and excellent sound quality.

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