A graduate of the UCLA film program, Michael Zen never quite made it in mainstream Hollywood. Instead, he turned his attention to hardcore and became one of the industry's most innovative and creative talents. He uses his film school background to produce lavish, beautifully shot sex films, features that focus on story and character development as much as on pure sex. He's among the most-honored directors in the business and his films never fail to impress.

Throughout the 70s and 80s, Michael Zen worked as an editor, honing his hardcore skills until he was ready to step into the director's chair. Actually, he did shoot a couple of sex films early on, including 1977's 'Reflections,' a steamy Annette Haven vehicle. 1981's 'Filthy Rich' was another early effort, and it pointed to Zen's future in the industry. It's a well-shot and nicely produced tale of a rich couple who trade places with their more sexually expressive servants. The film delivers plenty of passionate punch while sticking close to its storyline, a trait that Michael Zen would turn into almost a trademark style.

Michael Zen didn't direct another hardcore feature for over ten years, until he released 1992's 'Secret Garden.' The film became an instant classic, the torrid tale of a wealthy family whose demure facade hides a series of incendiary sexual secrets. Ashlyn Gere turned in one of her most memorable performances as a woman afflicted with multiple personalities, whose sexual decadence eventually rubs off on the rest of her clan. The script, acting, production values and editing are all of the first quality, and the film established Michael Zen as a force in the sex film world.

Throughout the 90s, Michael Zen crafted some of the most gorgeously shot sexvids of the decade. His almost glossy style combined with gorgeous performers and solid storylines to make him the poster boy for couples-style erotic entertainment. Among his best features is 1993's 'Ice Woman' a comedic parody of the 'Encino Man' concept, with Ashlyn Gere and her man discovering the buxom body of a frozen cavegirl while on vacation in the Alps. The film is one of Michael Zen's few forays into comedy, and it works surprisingly well.

1995's 'Blue Movie' was a landmark film in Zen's career, a flick that won just about every Best Film award when it came out. It starred Jenna Jameson in the role of her career, playing a reporter sent to dig up a story about eccentric porn director Steven St. Croix. Of course, Jenna soon finds herself drawn into St. Croix's lusty world and ends up starring in his latest sexvid! The film is among the best couples-oriented features ever made, with stellar performances and a script that holds your interest until the end. Highlights include a wild Jenna/T.T. Boy encounter and a Tera Heart/Alex Sanders back door blast that's easily both performers' best.

1999's 'Jade Princess' is another classic, the torrid tale of a group of guys who get together for a bachelor party. They're served up sassy fortune cookies by waitress Kobe Tai, each of which somehow comes true. The film is another masterfully shot and edited work, with outstanding sex scenes including a Raylene/Inari Vachs/Tony Tedeschi tussle and a steamy session between Kobe and Julian.

1999 also saw the release of 'Babylon,' starring Lexus as a naive college coed who is drawn into a strange world of sensual delights. The film is an almost hallucinatory take on the 'Alice in Wonderland' tale, with Lexus indulging herself in a land of wild costumes, wanton waifs and moody, shadowy sets.

As time has gone on, Michael Zen films have become increasingly mannered and stylized, sometimes to the detriment of the actual sexual action. He always delivers gorgeous imagery, though, and while his films might not be to everyone's taste, Michael Zen has developed a following that will gladly tune in to his every erotic moment. He continues to shoot steamy sex films for the industry's high end companies, and is without a doubt one of the most important filmmakers in 90s porn.

Blog Michael Zen: Michael Zen wants to read your comments... Which is your favorite movie and why? What are some of your other favorite Michael Zen movies? What would you like to see him do? Or any other comments you might want Michael Zen to know and read.