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 today 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 Wednesday night at the Landmark Theatre and hung around afterward to autograph the coffee-table book.

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.

The porn stars in the film don’t see themselves as failed actresses. They say they enjoy their work and see off-duty sex as having nothing to do with their day jobs. All say they have had sexually transmitted diseases. Most share concern for how others view their profession and worry whether this 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.

Online:

www.thearousedproject.com