THE LOST SEX FILMS OF KINGS CROSS: Charis & George Schwarz

​George Schwarz (1935-2021) was a Swiss born, Sydney based artist who together with his wife, Charis, produced Australia's first theatrical hardcore sex films. Beginning in 1970 with an 8mm short called The Dream, George and Charis made erotic short films which were originally screened at the Sydney Filmmakers Co-op and at select international film festivals. Their 1974 film, Sex Aids and How to Use Them pushed the boundaries of community standards and became the first hardcore sex film produced in Australia to be passed by the censors. Sex Aids screened nationwide, shocking and titillating audiences, whilst their follow-up, Well, My Dear! (1975) was refused classification and has never screened until now. After this set-back and continual problems with funding these projects, Charis and George quit filmmaking to focus on photography and teaching.

Restored from their only existing film elements, the Schwarz productions selected for SUFF 2024 document a 'lost' era of Australian cinema and are a time capsule of bohemian Kings Cross featuring notorious locations such as the Barrel Theatre and Sandra Nelson's A.O. Club.

With a very special in-conversation with Charis Schwarz and Leon O’Regan (from EXFILM who has been
instrumental in restoring these important pieces of film history) - hosted by Jaimie Leonarder.

THE DREAM (1970, Dir. George & Charis Schwarz, 3.5mins)
The earliest explicit sex film produced in Australia for theatrical presentation. This exceptionally rare silent 8mm short was often confiscated by vice squad detectives.

SEX AIDS AND HOW TO USE THEM (1974, Dir. George & Charis Schwarz, 29mins)
The first explicit sex film passed by the Australian censors, produced and exhibited in Australia. The highest grossing Australian short film of its time. This screening marks the 50th anniversary of the film's premiere in Sydney in 1974.

WELL, MY DEAR! (1975, Dir. George & Charis Schwarz, 46mins)
The follow-up to SEX AIDS, WELL, MY DEAR was refused classification and never publicly screened. This 'lost' Australian sexploitation film is a time capsule of Kings Cross, shot inside the Barrel Theatre on Bayswater Road and depicting androgyny, bisexuality and the vibrant bohemian flamboyance of Sydney's '70s queer scene.

STAGE (1972, Dir. George Schwarz, 23mins)
Shot inside Sandra Nelson's A.O. Club in King's Cross and featuring a young Mark Lewis (Cane Toads), legendary Kings Cross doorman, Peter 'Half Mo' Crofts and several notorious Kings Cross strippers; STAGE is a common story of abandonment. A rarely seen time capsule of Kings Cross.