More than two decades ago, BDSM was classified as an obscure or difficult-to-understand sexual practice. In those days, revealing sexual fantasies and other unconventional practices was, to say the least, uncommon. Today, however, all that has changed, as BDSM attracts a huge following and is well integrated into popular culture. Music videos, films and literary works now touch on many aspects of bondage. Find out in this article how this sexual and contractual practice is perceived and represented in music, film and literature, the latest trends and its impact on popular culture.
How is BDSM portrayed in the movies?
BSDM has been in vogue in the cinema for several years now. It’s not uncommon to see feature-length films dealing with domination and submission in sexual relationships. The production teams and actors in these films often give realistic, positive portrayals of this sexual and erotic practice. There are also a good number of films that propose BSDM with a form of romance and sensuality, while others focus on violence and torture. In any case, the vast majority of these films arouse excitement and curiosity in viewers, including series such as “Bonding” and “Sense8”. As a further example, let’s take the famous film “Fifty Shades”, which not only helped demystify the subject, but also contributed to the evolution of the perception of BDSM among a wide audience.
Sometimes presented as a forbidden sexual preference, the 3 parts of Fifty Shades (Fifty Shades of Grey, Darker and Lighter) have challenged these stereotypes about BDSM. In other words, these cinematic masterpieces highlighted new romantic perspectives on the less conventional aspects of BDSM. In this case, cinema has helped many viewers to recognize their own inner perversions and bizarre practices when it comes to sex. And this is one of the reasons why more and more couples are interested in recreating scenes from these films.
How does music represent BDSM relationships?
In music, BDSM is quite clearly represented through lyrics. BDSM in the music industry has helped break certain taboos and prompted many people to think about sexuality and power. This is illustrated by Madonna’s “Erotica” and Rihanna’s “S&M”. Often provocative, some of the lyrics of these songs describe scenes of domination or submission linked to sexuality. But they are also about control and consent. There are also musical styles that are sometimes associated with the practice of BDSM, notably gothic and darkwave.
BDSM scenes are also depicted in music videos. In these sultry videos, you’ll see many scenes of sado-maso or provocative bondage and submission. Music videos such as Mondino’s “Justify my love”, Madonna’s “Girls gone wild”, Maneskin’s “I Wanna Be Your Slave” and The Weeknd’s “Earned It” are concrete examples. Some of these videos, which count millions of views on platforms, had been banned from TV channels or censored. However, with the growing popularity of BDSM and a better understanding of these practices, these channels eventually re-evaluated their position and began to broadcast these videos. In addition, some stars are incorporating elements of BDSM into their concerts. Madonna, Katy Perry, Pink, Mylène Farmer and Miley Cyrus are perfect examples of this.
How is BDSM perceived in contemporary literature?
BDSM is present in contemporary literature, with many works dealing with this formerly nuanced subject. It tends to normalize BDSM relationships while presenting them as legitimate and consensual on a sexual level. A work such as Erika Leonard’s “Fifty Shades of Grey” has amply contributed to the emergence of BDSM.
Contemporary authors also provide insights into the psychological aspects of BDSM relationships and the power dynamics between partners. These works seek to deconstruct the stereotypes of bondage and present more realistic characters and situations. Contemporary literature presents a range of BDSM practices, from light bondage and role-playing to more intense practices such as total domination. This diversity enables readers to understand the variety of possible experiences of this sexual practice.
What are the emerging trends in BDSM and their influence on popular culture?
The evolution of BDSM practices in popular culture reflects a marked transition from marginality to more open and nuanced recognition and practice. And representations in film, cinema, music and contemporary literature bear witness to this emergence. Emerging trends show a diversification of these representations.
One example is the influence of BDSM in fashion, language and social practices. Accessories and outfits inspired by the approach, namely harnesses, corsets and necklaces, have become mainstream fashion items. What’s more, a plethora of BDSM-derived language such as “safe word” and “consent” began to be integrated into the discussion of relationships and sexuality.
In conclusion, the evolution of BDSM practices opens the way to a better understanding of human sexuality. As representations of these practices continue to emerge in the media, it becomes pertinent to ask how other aspects of daily life and human relationships might be influenced by this trend. It will also be important to know how far the influence of BDSM in popular culture may go in redefining sexual norms.
