Louis Theroux’ subjects always tend to sit on the outskirts of the wacky and wilder people in the world. Now BBC Two have confirmed his new UK Based documentary “Selling Sex”, fuelled by websites and social media, a new economy has emerged – bringing a world of transactional sex to people who might have never previously considered it.
Louis Theroux meets women legally providing sexual services, however, this isn’t the way Hollywood sells the practice. Rather than on the streets or in illegal brothels, these women sell sex from their own home or hotels, utilizing technology to share photos, make bookings and vet potential clients on their own – making the exchange more accessible and, according to some, safer than the illegal alternatives.
The age-old issue of whether sex should ever be traded remains, with many believing it to be exploitative and damaging, driven by a society still shaped by the desires of men. Yet there are those who feel that selling sex can be a valid, empowering choice for those who choose to engage in it. As Louis meets the women and men participating in the new sexual economy, he explores whether selling sex can ever be a healthy way to make money.
Louis Theroux says: “I’m always drawn to stories that involve ethical wrinkles – issues that are deeply felt, but are also divisive, and in which good-hearted people can come to opposite conclusions. The debate around selling sex is exactly that kind of story.“
While we wait, here are some of our favourite Louis Theroux documentaries you should definitely check out!
