Actors 'dare to go bare'

2004-05-14 11:43

Los Angeles - Health authorities on Thursday lamented a decision by California's booming porn industry to film without condoms, despite a spate of HIV infection among its actors.

"I think it is very sad, to resume production as it used to be, without condoms," Los Angeles County Department of Health Director Jonathan Fielding said.

"Condoms are the only way to protect the industry employees and that is what we want, to protect the employees and therefore protect the industry."

The porn industry panic struck in April, when actor Darren James was found to have HIV and filming was stopped for 60 days. Of the 45 actors that had been in scenes with him, three had contracted the virus.

California health authorities attempted to require condom use during filming of explicit sex scenes, as well as frequent checks for HIV, which causes Aids.

However, the majority of producers called the idea an attack on their business and the quality of the films. Many studios, in San Fernando, north of Los Angeles, said they would simply move from California.

The actors, who shoot as many as five films a day, have already returned to work this week.

"Mandatory condoms are the only way of protection, there is no other way. Frequent tests are not a way of prevention," Fielding said.

Vivid studios has been using condoms for two years.

"It could cost us financially," said Steven Hirsch, owner of Vivid Entertainment.

"There are a lot of people in the US who don't like to watch a movie with condoms, there are people internationally who don't like to watch movies with condoms," he said.

The California industry produces 4 000 films a year and employs 6 000 people.

- AFP