New film examines lives of porn stars

Los Angeles - Ever wonder what makes young, pretty, "good" girls pursue careers in porn?

So did Deborah Anderson, that's why she made a documentary and fine-art photography book on the subject.

Aroused opens in select theaters on Thursday and is available for download on iTunes. The book is available on Amazon.

Many of the 16 adult-film actresses featured in Aroused attended the film's premiere on Wednesday night at the Landmark Theatre and hung around afterward to autograph the coffee-table book.

Enjoy their work

Anderson was inspired to explore these women's stories after casting a porn star in a photo shoot for a magazine. She was struck by the woman's warm personality and her stories of harsh treatment from the public despite contributing to a widely consumed product of a billion-dollar industry.

Porn stars are not failed actresses. They enjoy their work and see off-duty sex as having nothing to do with their day jobs.

All have had sexually transmitted diseases. Most shared concern for how others view their profession and worried whether it could impede future job or romantic prospects.

Anderson said she hopes the book and film will spotlight the humanity of these women and the sensuality of their work.