The 2018 German film “Yung” is noted for its unflinching portrayal of youth culture, hedonism, and sexual exploration in contemporary Berlin. Among its most discussed sequences are the sex and nude scenes featuring Janaina Liesenfeld, which have garnered significant attention for their realism and provocative nature.
Context of the Film and Character
“Yung,” directed by Henning Gronkowski, follows four young women as they navigate Berlin’s nightlife, engaging in parties, love affairs, and the consequences of their choices. Janaina Liesenfeld plays one of the leads—a woman whose life is depicted with raw authenticity, including explicit depictions of sex, masturbation, and nudity. The purpose of these graphic scenes is to present an unvarnished, almost documentary-style look at the reality of youth in a hyper-modern, pleasure-seeking city.
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Notable Nude and Sex Scenes
Janaina Liesenfeld appears nude multiple times throughout “Yung,” with several crucial scenes contributing to the film’s notorious reputation. One of the most striking is a sequence in which Janaina’s character, fully nude, engages in a simulated sex scene with an older man. The cinematography emphasizes realism—rather than stylizing or glamorizing the encounter, it captures awkwardness, vulnerability, and the blurred boundaries often found in youthful relationships. The director reportedly ensured that actors felt comfortable, using a very small film crew for intimate scenes so performers, including Liesenfeld, could express their sexuality authentically and without external pressure.
Additionally, there are scenes featuring Liesenfeld and fellow actress Emily Lau as their characters experiment sexually—sometimes with one another, sometimes with other partners. These sequences are not merely for titillation but serve to illustrate the characters’ explorations of desire, boredom, and connection as they search for meaning in a world increasingly defined by fleeting pleasure.
Impact and Audience Reception
The explicit nature of these scenes led to both acclaim and controversy. Some viewers and critics praised the film for its honest, non-judgmental look at female sexuality and the risks, joys, and ennui of modern urban existence. Liesenfeld’s nude and sex scenes, in particular, were often cited as examples of fearless, committed acting, bringing depth and realism to a film centered on radical authenticity.
Other reactions were more critical, expressing discomfort with the level of explicitness or questioning whether the realism was necessary for the storyline. The discussion around these scenes highlights ongoing debates about the portrayal of sex and nudity in cinema—especially when used not just for shock value, but to foster a greater understanding of character and theme.
Technical and Artistic Considerations
The film’s director, Henning Gronkowski, clarified that the nude and sex scenes were carefully managed in terms of consent and comfort. For example, some intimate scenes (such as masturbation sequences) were filmed with only the actress and the cameraman present, giving Liesenfeld agency and privacy during vulnerable moments on screen. Penetration is simulated rather than real, but the camera’s unflinching perspective captures the illusion in ways that push typical boundaries of mainstream cinema.
Cultural and Cinematic Significance
“Yung” and its performances—including Janaina Liesenfeld’s explicit scenes—are emblematic of a broader trend in European cinema toward radical honesty, blurring the line between narrative drama and documentary realism. The film challenges traditional taboos about sexuality, autonomy, and the female gaze. Liesenfeld’s role—marked by scenes of nudity, simulated sex, and masturbation—anchors this vision and invites audiences to question their own preconceptions about what cinematic intimacy means.
Ultimately, Liesenfeld’s sex and nude scenes in “Yung” are not merely exploitative, but instead serve as touchstones for the film’s exploration of freedom, vulnerability, and the quest for identity in a rapidly changing world.