By Erika Icon
YNOT – Anna Devia is one of the breakout directors in a relatively new genre known as queer film. Often described as “porn with an artistic bent” or “documentary porn,” queer films encompass avant garde representations of marginalized aspects of the LGBT experience.
Devia’s first film, Alpha Femmes, a collection of four vignettes featuring latex-clad women, has been called “stunning,” “beautifully brutal” and “insanely hot.” The Oakland-based director is someone to watch.
How did you get into adult?
I had already been shooting erotic and fetish photography for over 10 years, so venturing into adult filmmaking wasn’t really a big leap. I worked as a sex educator at Babeland for a couple of years leading up to my foray into adult film, and during that time I reviewed a ton of porn, which really informed me about what was out there and also provided me with a large part of the impetus to make my own.
How did you come up with your porn name?
My first name is really Anna, but the last name Devia is a play on the word “deviant” and also “devi,” which means goddess. Combining a reference to kink and the concept of female divinity is very representative of whom I am: I’m a kinky goddess. I’m saying this with a smirk on my face.
How did you go from being a photographer to a director?
It was a natural progression for me as a photographer. Filmmaking was something I eventually wanted to try my hand at, and when the opportunity presented itself, I went for it.
Is it hard being a woman director? If so, what are some of the obstacles you have come up against?
I don’t think being a woman director is necessarily difficult, but any time a woman is in a position of authority there is the potential for power struggles to develop with people who are threatened by that. I have certainly experienced that dynamic in the professional arena at times.
Why did you get into doing queer films? Why not mainstream porn?
I got into making queer-oriented films because I wanted to see more sexual and gender diversity in porn, which was missing from mainstream porn. My ultimate goal in terms of making queer porn specifically is to help bring queer sexuality into the public consciousness in general, which is why I try to find and encourage common ground with the mainstream.
Many people think queer refers to homosexual. Can you explain what the queer genre is?
Some gay and lesbian people use the term “queer” to describe themselves, but historically it’s been a derogatory term for LGBT people. A segment of the LGBT community has sort of reclaimed the term and used it to encompass sexuality that doesn’t fall strictly within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender realm or that can’t be contained by those labels. It includes a very diverse range of sexual expression and gender representation, as well as diversity in terms of body types and ethnicities. Sex-positivity is another central characteristic of the queer genre.
What is the most misunderstood thing about the queer genre?
I think the most misunderstood thing about the queer genre is that some might think it only appeals to other queer-identified people. I frequently meet or hear from people of every persuasion however, especially hetero-identified couples, who love the porn I’ve made and want more like it. To me, that is what the embodiment of “queer” is: boundary defying.
How is your work different from other filmmakers of your genre or other directors in mainstream porn?
Unlike most porn directors, I think it is very evident in the content and production quality of my work that I am an artist first and foremost. I try to make work that will stand the test of time, and not just shovel out crap to hawk to the masses.
What do you like best and least about working in adult?
What I like most about working in adult is sex and sexuality. I love the product I’m producing. The worst thing about working in adult is that I can face unfair judgments from some people for being in the industry.
Is distributing your own movies difficult? Would you consider having a studio or distribution company pick up your titles and do the work for you?
I would prefer to focus strictly on filmmaking, so yes, I would much rather work with a studio or distribution company to handle the sales and distribution end of things. I have been in talks and negotiations with some companies, and I continue to explore more potential options.
Where can we find your work?
You can purchase the DVD at my website, AnnaDevia.com, and also on Facebook at my Anna Devia Productions profile. My site also has trailers, a photo gallery and more. The DVD is also available at Stockroom.com and on VOD via HotMovies, AEBN and Gamelink.
What’s the best thing a reviewer has ever said about you or your work?
Dr. Chauntelle of PVVOnline.com reviewed Alpha Femmes and the whole review was great, but at one point she called it “brilliant, creative and transgressive.” I love having my work referred to as “beautiful and creative,” but “transgressive” was even more meaningful, because the cinema of transgression and the transgressive art movement has been hugely influential to me.
What’s in the crystal ball for you? Any exciting new projects coming up or films to be released?
I hope to complete my second and third films in the very near future, both of which I have already filmed and edited some scenes for. Again, I would like to secure distribution before I complete those projects, so I can maximize sales and preserve my effort for what I do best
If someone wants to contact you, how can they do that?
I can be reached by [email=contact@annadevia.com]email[/email].
