Hardcore
Parent: hard
Related: explicit - pornographic film - pornography - X-rated - unsimulated
Related by title: Hardcore (1979 American film) - Hardcore (1989 American non fiction book) -
Contrast: softcore
In the realm of erotica the differences between hardcore and softcore can be described along the axes simulated/unsimulated, explicit/suggestive. [Aug 2006]
Pornography, as we have observed, is usually classified into "hardcore" and "softcore". This utilises a HARD-SOFT image-schema. Hardness is generally associated with activity and forcefulness, probably because muscles in action become hard, and hard objects can penetrate soft objects. In the case of "hard porn", the particularly apposite nature of this image-schema needs no comment. From this HARD IS ACTIVE, we can derive ACTIVE IS MORE (since activity produces more results than inactivity) therefore HARDER PORNOGRAPHY IS MORE PORNOGRAPHIC. This combines with MORE IS BETTER (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980:22) to give us HARDER PORNOGRAPHY IS BETTER PORNOGRAPHY (at least for those who enjoy pornography). --Debating Pornography: Categories and Metaphors by Robin Turner, 1999
Definition (general)
There are several things known as hardcore:Hardcore pornography features explicit, unsimulated sexual acts
music, there are four musical genres called hardcore
- form of punk rock - hardcore punk
- A totally instrumental form of techno - hardcore techno
- An aggressive form of 1980s hip hop - hardcore hip hop
- A form of heavy metal - hardcore heavy metal
Hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography is a form of pornography that features explicit sexual acts. The term was coined in the second half of the 20th century, to distinguish it from the emerging softcore pornography.
In pornographic film, hardcore is labeled rated X, XXX, or triple X pornography. Softcore is usually rated "NC-17", or is left unrated. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_pornography [Aug 2006]
Softcore and hardcore
Linda Lovelace ind Deep Throat (1972), an example of a hardcore film which gained mainstream popularity during the so-called porno chic period.
Sylvia Kristel in
Emmanuelle (1974) - Just Jaeckin [Amazon.com], usually held to be softcore rather than hardcore
While both softcore and hardcore feature extensive nudity and sexual situations with the intention of arousing the viewer, the key difference between softcore and hardcore is that softcore does not include the following hardcore elements: shots of an erect penis, shots of actual penetration (vaginal, anal and/or oral), shots of a third party touching/licking female breasts, and shots of ejaculation (often over the subject, usually a female). Generally (although not always), sexual acts in softcore are simulated, while the appeal of hardcore is that the acts themselves are obviously real (although the emotions of the performers may be simulated). --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_pornography [Aug 2006]
Simulated vs unsimulated
In the context of hardcore and softcore erotic movies, unsimulated means real sex acts which are filmed as is, while simulated means, that the act of lovemaking or other erotic behaviours is suggested, not performed in reality, thus: simulated. Most of the softcore erotica is simulated.see also: simulation - reality - erotica - pornography - film
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