"I guess we've come far, but have we really come very far?" asked Dakota Johnson on a Zoom call with Nicole Newnham, director of the documentary "Where Has Cher Haight Gone," which she herself produced and narrates. By her question, Johnson meant transparency and candor when it comes to female sexual pleasure. This sensitive subject is at the center of the film, which was presented at the Doc-Aviv Film Festival last year and tells the story of Cher Haight, a groundbreaking sex researcher whose work, especially "The Haight Report," aroused interest and controversy in the 70s.
According to ChatGPT, Haight's investigation of women's intimate experiences challenged conventional wisdom at the time, but strangely, Haight herself almost disappeared from consciousness. The film was directed by Nicole Newnham, a documentary filmmaker best known for the Oscar-nominated films Camp America (2020) and The Rape of Europe (2006), which was nominated for several Emmy Awards. Johnson, one of the busiest and most sought-after actresses today, and of course the 3rd generation of Hollywood aristocracy, devotes her time at this point in her life to promoting sexual health. During the conversation, she steered the discussion to this topic.
As an investor and co-creative director of sexual wellbeing startup Maude, the 34-year-old shared her experiences during a visit to the Miami Museum of Sex. The museum, known for its bold exhibits, will present an exhibition titled "Modern Sex: 2024 Years of Design and Decency" starting in January 100, sponsored by Maud. This exhibition examines the evolution of sexual health products over the past century, presenting the advances and challenges in society's perception of sexual well-being.
Newnham shared that she approached Johnson for the role because of her exceptional acting abilities and a quality reminiscent of Cher Haight — power, shameless femininity and navigating public perceptions of sexuality. Johnson, for her part, revealed that she was considering a project about Haight through her private production company, TeaTime Pictures, and emphasized that her admiration for Hyatt existed even before her involvement in the film.
In the film, Johnson presents an intimate portrayal of Haight, delving into the internal struggles that the sex researcher faced amid public criticism. She acknowledges parallels between Haight's experiences and her own encounters with negative public attention, especially in the context of her role in Fifty Shades of Grey.
Dakota Johnson in Fifty Shades of Grey, photo: AP
As the granddaughter of Tippi Hedren, a former actress who starred in several Hitchcock films, and daughter of Oscar winner Melanie Griffith, Johnson points to her connection to a Hollywood dynasty shaped by complex attitudes toward sexuality. Her current engagement with sexual health demonstrates her commitment to exploring issues of sex, relationships, power dynamics, and self-knowledge. For her, her involvement in promoting sexual health, awareness and women's rights is part of her life's work.
"Growing up, I was told that my body was sacred, beautiful and special and that I needed to be protected and cared for," Johnson explains, emphasizing the importance of free discussion about sex and gender without fear or stigma.
At the end of the conversation, Johnson expresses her commitment to challenging social norms around sexuality and encourages open dialogue. It emphasizes the need to let go of fear and self-defense in discussing the truth, invites us to reconsider our perceptions of sexual health, and seeks to pave the way for an ongoing journey towards a more enlightened and accepting society.
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