Chicago – ForPlay Films founder and award-winning director Inka Winter is profiled in a new Vice article, “Growing Up in a Sex Cult”, detailing her traumatic childhood experiences at the Friedrichshof Commune and her subsequent journey to becoming a leader in ethical, feminist adult filmmaking.
“My whole mission with ForPlay Films has been sexual healing, through the art of film-making,” says Winter. “I want to give everyone – whether performers, viewers, my crew, or myself – the agency and empowerment over their own sexuality that I was never given, growing up.”
In the piece, written by Hallie Lieberman, Winter recounts her early life at the commune led by artist Otto Muehl, where children were separated from their parents, and coercive sexual practices were mandatory. “It felt like you were floating in the ocean and didn’t know where to hold on,” Winter says of her childhood.
The cult’s strict rules on sexuality left a lasting impact on her, as members were forced into non-consensual sexual relationships, with Muehl and his wife abusing children and young teens. Winter found solace in making short films with other children at the commune, sparking her lifelong passion for filmmaking.
After leaving the commune, Winter went on to establish ForPlay Films in 2017, where she focuses on feminist, ethical adult films centered on performer autonomy, consent and chemistry. Her films are known for their emphasis on performer input, creating a safe and respectful environment on set.
ForPlay Films has garnered widespread industry acclaim, and Winter’s commitment to creating adult films that prioritize performers’ well-being and consent has set ForPlay Films apart in the industry, offering a progressive, sex-positive approach to adult content.
“What I’ve found is that you don’t have to have grown up in a cult to have experienced sexual trauma, a lack of agency, erosion of boundaries, or an invalidation of pleasure. It’s far too common, all through society, and especially for women,” says Winter. “If my work with ForPlay Films can not only help me, but bring joy and healing to others, then I will have transformed my trauma into something powerful and worthwhile.”
For more information on ForPlay Films and Inka Winter, visit ForPlayFilms.com and follow on socials at @forplayfilm, InkaWinter.com and @inka.winter on Instagram.
ABOUT INKA WINTER:
Inka Winter is an award-winning feminist porn director and the founder of ForPlay Films, a production company known for producing ethical and sex-positive adult content that prioritizes consent, performer autonomy and well-being.
Raised in the infamous Friedrichshof Commune, a coercive sex cult led by artist Otto Muehl, Winter’s early experiences shaped her desire to create safe, empowering spaces for performers in adult filmmaking. After finding her passion for filmmaking, Winter founded ForPlay Films in 2017, focusing on chemistry, mutual respect and collaboration on set
ForPlay Films has gained industry recognition for its innovative productions, including the critically acclaimed Ashford Manor, which earned 19 award nominations. Winter’s commitment to creating an inclusive, respectful environment on set has established her as a leading voice in feminist pornography.