Sahar makes documentary about sex workers: ‘Many women do this work voluntarily’ | Stories behind the news

How did the idea for this series come about?

„One of the main characters in my previous series sedated, worked in prostitution. Many of her friends and colleagues came over to do the same work. They all looked very different from what I had expected, very open and free. I thought that was special. Nine times out of ten you hear stories about how bad this work is for a woman and that they would do it out of financial need, but there are many women who do this work voluntarily. I think I was biased somewhere too. I thought there would be a seedy atmosphere. I also wondered how a woman could do this work.”

Do you see it as your job to disprove those prejudices?

“I think it is especially important that the Dutch get to see a real story. Before they pass judgment, they need to see exactly what the job entails. Who are these women and what is their life like? Whether the viewers decide to stick with the prejudices or get different insights is not up to me. I have no expectations about that.”

In almost all your productions subjects such as addiction, crime and sex are discussed. Where does the fascination come from?

“In general, all the series I make are about ‘dark’ subjects. Everything that falls just outside the ordinary or hangs on the edge, I find interesting. I can’t say exactly where that interest comes from. There is right and wrong in people and I find it interesting to explore that. Where right and wrong come together, is a place where I feel very comfortable.”

How did you handle it?

“First I spoke to five hundred different sex workers with a researcher. Many women did not dare to step out of anonymity. There were also women who wanted it, but I didn’t like it. The series is built entirely on my connection with the characters. If we don’t click, you can’t spend three months together, because that’s how long we filmed. The women who did want to cooperate feel that they no longer have a voice in society. I found that painful to hear. It is a legal profession. I’ve heard that some can’t open a bank account or get a house.”

You also filmed while the women were at work. Didn’t you find that uncomfortable?

“You are there when someone has sex, but you also see the human contact. It’s so much more than just sex. It’s a form of affection. Precisely because it was so normal, I felt at ease. I kept asking myself: could I do this? It amazes me how one can do this work and the other not. The series also shows that the women have very different lives. One has children and the other still works as an artist next door. They have one thing in common: they want to be understood.”

Seksengelsen can be seen from tonight at 9:25 pm on PowNed on NPO3.

—