No Greater Sin

USS VD: Ship of Shame

January 1942 •English

This film was made by the U.S. government during World War II to show its young servicemen the results of "fooling around" with "loose women" overseas. Actual victims of such sexually transmitted diseases as syphilis and gonorrhoea are shown, along with the physical deterioration that accompanies those diseases.

The People at No. 19

November 1949 •English

Reported cases of sexually transmitted disease took a sharp rise during and after World War II, but as this film testifies, sexual license amongst soldiers on the frontline wasn't the sole cause. Back on the home front, for many women, like Joan from No. 19, loneliness or newfound independence acted as an incentive to extramarital promiscuity.

Love on Leave

November 1940 •English

George and Katherine plan to marry but war breaks out. When he returns on two weeks leave, but has his marriage proposal put down by Katherine, George enters a relationship with another woman.

Sour Honey

June 2021 •English

Jade and Effy exist in a paradox of determination to achieve authenticity while living a hedonistic lifestyle. In their time of desperation for money, they battle the male gaze, their own vices, and the relentless buzz of mass media.

Of the World's Horrors

January 1920 •Romanian

A wife and her husband have both contracted syphilis and don't know how to tell each other.

That Burning Feeling

May 2014 •English

Venereal disease forces a confirmed bachelor to take stock of his history of one night stands.

Defect in the Womb

January 1977 •Indonesian

Andy lives recklessly. He decides to go straight after meeting, falling in love with and impregnating Maria. Unfortunately, his freewheeling ways have led to him transmitting an STD to her that causes their baby to die. The two then go through therapy to learn more about sex education.

Scratch That

June 2023 •Hebrew

Since his boyfriend left him, Yotam hasn’t slept alone. He developed an obsession for dating apps and spends his nights in the arms of strangers. One day, he discovers he’s been infected with an insufferable skin disease and realizes he’s got no choice but to stop his way of living for a while. His journey into the midst of his first night alone will find him and his obsession in very dark and itchy places.

Kids

July 1995 •English

A day in the life of a group of teens as they travel around New York City skating, drinking, smoking and deflowering virgins.

Sex Madness

April 1938 •English

A young beauty queen travels to New York to further her modelling career, but contracts syphilis after being tricked into a sexual encounter. She is torn between the prospect of a slow, intensive but proven therapy and a supposed miracle cure.

She's Too Young

February 2004 •English

A mother/daughter relationship is thrown off balance when the mother discovers that her "good girl" daughter is part of a group who are engaging in sexual activities with multiple partners that results in an outbreak of sexually transmitted diseases.

Mom and Dad

January 1945 •English

A teenage girl from a traditional family goes on a date with a pilot and ends up having sex with him. After the pilot dies in a plane crash, the girl discovers she is pregnant with his child. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2010.

V.D.

January 1961 •English

A high school track star's wedding plans are capsized by venereal disease and a bad, beautiful new girl in town. His coach and a physician steer him into the light again.

Osudná chvíle

September 1935 •Czech

Touch Me

September 1997 •English

Bridgette is an aspiring actress who teaches aerobics at a local gym that's run by the womanizing Adam. After a tryst with Adam, Bridgette scores a role in a big play, but then learns that a former boyfriend is dying of AIDS. While preparing to get tested, Bridgette suspects Adam of cheating on her, and must face the HIV tests alone, which shockingly come back positive. Building a support network, including a penitent Adam, Bridgette faces her own mortality.

Black Venus

October 2010 •French

The true story of Saartje Baartman, a black South African worker who moves to London with her master in the early 19th century. Although she dreams of being an artist, once in Europe she is exploited as a sideshow attraction due to her large buttocks and genitalia.

Es werde Licht! 2. Teil

January 1918 •German

A doctor who believes that only the immoral catch syphilis reconsiders his stance.

Es werde Licht!

March 1917 •German

A painter with syphilis infects his brother's wife and the child born of their affair.

Falsity: 5 Stories of Betrayal

November 2019 •English

Liars, cheaters,

Damaged Goods

May 1937 •English

A groom-to-be contracts syphilis and wrestles with the consequences of his diagnosis.