In webcam sex revolution, women come out on top
'Camgirls' performing interactive sex acts online are pioneering a new type of pornography that gives them more control. Matteo Fagotto travels to Romania, the capital of this trend, to meet some of the stars. Pictures by Matilde Gattoni.
In an upscale residential area on the outskirts of Timisoara, Romania, close to the borders with Hungary and Serbia, stands a beautiful, three-storey house surrounded by a garden in which there is a swimming pool. At first sight, nothing distinguishes it from the neighbouring homes, but watch it for a while and you'll notice the windows and curtains are always shut. Silence shrouds it every morning.
At midday, a BMW SUV pulls up in front of the gate and out clambers a group of beautiful young women: it is the beginning of another day in one of the most lucrative industries of our time.
Once inside, Krina (none of the women in this article wanted to give their real names), a 25-year-old with an infectious smile and toned body, bounds upstairs and into her room, which is equipped with a purple sofa, a white bed and an internet-connected workstation. Having spent a long time applying make-up, she puts on black lingerie and a cream-coloured skirt suit, switches on her PC, adjusts the webcam and logs on.
Within minutes, Krina's video chat room is full of adoring users from all over the world, imploring her via instant messages to take her clothes off. She doesn't, and instead replies with jokes and teases customers by dancing in front of the camera.
Another window pops up on her monitor, a sign that a user has paid for a one-on-one session. After a few minutes of small talk, the user asks Krina if she can undress for him. She complies, stripping slowly, whispering suggestively to her client. Once naked, Krina pleases herself, to the delight of the man. When both of them have finished - after several minutes of moaning and groaning - the client congratulates her and quickly abandons the chat.
Still naked, Krina lights a cigarette and checks to see how much she just made: US$110 for a 25-minute show.
"I don't know much about him, but he is a good customer," says Krina, exhaling smoke. "He is from the US and comes around five times a month."
