'Selling Sex' sees Theroux examine the ins and outs of sex work in the UK.
While some of Louis Theroux's more recent documentary work has been about the US cultural landscape, be it the likes of the Westboro Baptist Church or (ahem) Scientology, his latest work is something of a departure.
'Selling Sex' will see Theroux examine the inner workings of the sex economy in the UK, particularly with the rise of the likes of OnlyFans and social media personalities like 'The Cock Destroyers', who are themselves sex workers. Sex work is legal in the UK, but only in certain circumstances and the likes of kerb-walking or pandering are illegal.
As ever with Theroux's documentaries, 'Selling Sex' plans to explore both sides of the argument - those who believe sex work is empowering for women, and those who disagree. "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," Theroux said in a statement released to media.
"The debate around selling sex is exactly that kind of story. It is one of the most straightforward, yet complex interactions that can take place between two people. On the one hand, none of the activities taking place here are illegal; everything is above board and both parties have mutually agreed on the arrangement. On the other, it’s impossible to deny that for many – maybe most – people, there is something unsavoury in the idea of accepting money for an act that is so intimate. They have a problem with those who do it and see it as a symptom of a society that is controlled and dominated by men."
No air date has been set for 'Selling Sex' as of yet, but expect this to be one of Theroux's most talked-about documentaries in years.