Kate Winslet has been speaking out about the graphic sex scenes in her new film 'The Reader', insisting that though controversial, they are essential to the plot. Now this is no cynical marketing ploy to get single men into the back row of the cinema in oversized overcoats. No, not at all. Mind you, the scenes are filthy. And Kate plays a Nazi and everything. A dirty Nazi. A dirty, filthy, cock-obsessed Nazi who loves sex with younger men.

In an odd piece of casting Kate plays a former concentration camp guard who is fond of younger men and lashings of sex, embarking on a passionate affair whilst keeping her past a secret, as it's hardly a turn on and might mean she gets to have less sex if the truth emerges. So she keeps her former occupation a secret and has lots of sex.

There has been some opposition to the film with some believing that it trivialises the Holocaust which was more about pain and suffering than sexy Nazis and nudity, but Kate was keen to downplay the sex, sex and nudity angle in an interview with the New York Daily Times.

"There is a lot of nudity in the beginning. But it's 100 per cent justified."

Or she might have used the interview to re-iterate that there would be lots of nudity and sex, albeit justified, though she insists the film is more than just a grungy fanny-fest with oodles of sex, sex, sex.

"The relationship is not about sex. It's about how this young man reads her beautiful stories and poetry."

And then has sex with her. Did Kate mention that there was lots of nudity in the film? And a smattering of sex, sex, sex? They should make the poster strapline 'See this movie and there's a good chance you'll get an eyeful of Kate Winslet's hoop.' It's not for me. I'll wait for the DVD. Freeze frame technology, and all that.

by Ian McShane