Nagisa Ōshima's controversial and groundbreaking 1976 film is a stark, unflinching portrayal of obsessive sexual passion. Set in 1930s Japan, it is based on the true story of Sada Abe, a woman who had a consuming affair with her employer.

The film is renowned for its explicit depiction of sexual acts and its exploration of the destructive nature of desire taken to its absolute extreme. It remains a landmark film in the history of cinema due to its controversial content and its artistic commitment to portraying the depths of sexual obsession, leading to it being banned or heavily censored in many countries upon its release.

Directed by Michael Winterbottom, 9 Songs interweaves footage of live rock performances by bands like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Franz Ferdinand with scenes depicting the passionate relationship between a young couple in London. The film follows their romance through a series of concerts and intimate encounters.

The film is known for its highly explicit, unsimulated sex scenes, which are presented alongside the concert footage. The narrative is minimal, focusing more on capturing moments of intense physical connection and the atmosphere of the music scene. It's a film more about sensory experience than traditional storytelling.

Gaspar Noé's 'Love' is an intense and explicit exploration of a tumultuous relationship between an American film student in Paris, his girlfriend, and their neighbor. Presented in 3D, the film aims for an immersive, visceral experience of love and sex.

Known for its unsimulated sex scenes and raw emotional intensity, the film delves into themes of passion, jealousy, regret, and the complexities of a destructive relationship. It's a polarizing film, characteristic of Noé's confrontational style, offering a raw and unflinching look at carnal desire and its consequences.

Continuing Joe's story from where the first volume left off, this part of Lars von Trier's saga delves into the later, darker stages of her life and sexual experiences. Charlotte Gainsbourg carries the narrative as the older Joe, recounting her increasingly complex and often painful encounters.

Volume II pushes the boundaries even further, exploring themes of obsession, consequence, and the search for meaning amidst compulsive behavior. Like the first volume, it's a philosophical and provocative work that uses explicit content to explore deep psychological and existential questions. It solidifies the film as a major, albeit difficult, work in von Trier's filmography.

Lars von Trier presents the first part of his ambitious and controversial two-volume film exploring the life of a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac, Joe. Played by Stacy Martin (young Joe) and Charlotte Gainsbourg (older Joe), the film recounts her life story through various chapters, framed by her conversation with a kind stranger who finds her injured.

This volume delves into Joe's early sexual experiences and her developing understanding of her own desires and compulsions. It's a challenging, often graphic, and surprisingly intellectual film that uses sex as a lens to examine addiction, identity, and the human condition. It features a remarkable ensemble cast.

Michael Haneke's unsettling psychological drama features Isabelle Huppert in a fearless performance as Erika Kohut, a stern and repressed piano teacher living with her overbearing mother. Her rigidly controlled life begins to crumble when a young student becomes infatuated with her.

The film is a disturbing exploration of desire, repression, and self-mutilation, featuring challenging themes including BDSM. Huppert won the Best Actress award at Cannes for her portrayal of Erika, and the film also took home the Grand Prix. It's a difficult but profoundly impactful look at the darker corners of human psychology and sexuality.

Directed by John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Shortbus is a unique and warm-hearted ensemble film set in New York City. It follows a group of interconnected characters navigating their lives, relationships, and sexual identities, converging at an underground salon called Shortbus.

The film is notable for featuring unsimulated sex acts performed by the actors, used to explore themes of connection, loneliness, and the search for intimacy in the modern world. Despite its explicit nature, it's ultimately a hopeful and often humorous look at human desire and the need for belonging.

This Canadian film is a straightforward, intimate look at a relationship built almost entirely on intense physical attraction. It follows a young couple in Toronto as they explore the boundaries of their purely sexual connection, agreeing to no emotional attachments.

It's a film that doesn't shy away from explicit content, focusing on the raw physicality of desire and the challenges of maintaining a relationship based solely on sex. It offers a different perspective on modern relationships and the complexities that arise when emotions inevitably become involved, despite initial intentions.

Adrian Lyne, known for exploring themes of infidelity and desire, directs Diane Lane and Richard Gere in this intense drama. Lane delivers a powerful performance as a suburban housewife who embarks on a reckless affair with a younger man, played by Olivier Martinez.

The film delves into the destructive consequences of betrayal, exploring the emotional toll it takes on everyone involved. It's a gripping story about temptation, passion, and the unraveling of a seemingly perfect life. Diane Lane received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her work in this film.

Set against the backdrop of the 1968 Paris student protests, Bernardo Bertolucci's film is a sensual and atmospheric story of three young people—an American student and a French twin brother and sister—who retreat into their own world of cinema, politics, and sexual exploration. Eva Green, Louis Garrel, and Michael Pitt are captivating as they navigate their complex, intertwined relationship.

The film captures the spirit of a revolutionary time, both politically and personally. It's a love letter to classic cinema and a bold exploration of youthful rebellion, desire, and idealism during a pivotal historical moment. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, creating a truly immersive experience.

This critically acclaimed French film offers a raw, intimate, and deeply moving portrayal of a young woman's first love. Adèle Exarchopoulos gives an absolutely stunning, naturalistic performance as Adèle, who discovers herself and her desires through her passionate relationship with Emma, an art student played by Léa Seydoux.

The film is renowned for its unflinching depiction of love, sex, and the emotional journey of its protagonist. It won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, with the jury making the rare decision to award the prize not just to the director, Abdellatif Kechiche, but also to its two lead actresses for their extraordinary work.

Stanley Kubrick's final film is a hypnotic and unsettling journey into the hidden desires and secret lives lurking beneath the surface of a seemingly conventional marriage. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman play a wealthy New York couple whose lives are thrown into turmoil after a confession of infidelity.

The film is steeped in a dreamlike, almost surreal atmosphere, exploring themes of jealousy, temptation, and the mysterious nature of sexuality. Kubrick's meticulous direction creates a world that feels both opulent and deeply unsettling, leaving the audience to ponder the true nature of desire and fidelity long after the credits roll.

Sharon Stone became an icon overnight with her unforgettable portrayal of Catherine Tramell in this sleek, steamy thriller. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, it's a masterclass in suspense, filled with psychological games and undeniable sexual tension.

The infamous interrogation scene is etched into cinematic history, but the entire film crackles with energy thanks to Stone's mesmerizing performance and Michael Douglas's portrayal of the detective drawn into her dangerous world. It's pure, high-stakes adult entertainment that defined an era of thrillers.

Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers a truly captivating performance in this darkly comedic and unexpectedly tender film. It explores themes of submission and dominance within a burgeoning relationship, grounded by genuine emotional connection rather than just titillation.

James Spader is perfectly cast as the demanding boss, and the dynamic between the two leads is fascinatingly complex. It's a film that challenges perceptions and finds beauty in unconventional desires. It won a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, highlighting its unique take on romance and power dynamics.