LOS ANGELES—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.
Said Winter, "My whole mission with ForPlay Films has been sexual healing, through the art of film-making. 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 recounted 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 said 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 movies with other children at the commune, sparking her lifelong passion for filmmaking.
After leaving the commune, Winter established ForPlay Films in 2017, focusing on feminist, ethical adult films centered on performer autonomy, consent, and chemistry. Her movies are known for their emphasis on performer input, creating a safe and respectful environment on set.
ForPlay Films has garnered industry acclaim. Winter's commitment to creating adult movies that prioritize performers’ well-being and consent has set ForPlay Films apart in the industry, offering a progressive, sex-positive approach to adult content.
Winter continued, "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. 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, visit ForPlayFilms.com. Follow the brand on X @forplayfilm.
For more information about Winter, visit InkaWinter.com. Follow Winter on Instagram @inka.winter.
