A Sexplanation

A Sexplanation is a 2021 American documentary film directed by and starring Alex Liu, a Chinese American independent filmmaker.^[1] The film, which explores issues concerning sexual stigma, shame, pleasure, and pride in the context of debates over comprehensive sex education,^[2][3] follows Liu as he travels the United States and Canada to interview researchers, therapists, educators, authors, political leaders, and activists, including those at the Kinsey Institute, Planned Parenthood, and San Francisco Sex Information.

Cast

• Alex Liu (journalist and filmmaker) as the narrator and protagonist
• Dr. Lauri Betito (clinical psychologist, author, and syndicated radio host) as herself
• Dr. Barry Komisaruk (American psychologist and Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University) as himself
• Dr. William Yarber (Provost Professor at Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health, prominent AIDS/STD prevention researcher, and author) as himself
• Dr. Nan Wise (neuroscientist, sex therapist, and author) as herself
• Kristen Gilbert (Director of Education for Options for Sexual Health, Canada's largest non-profit provider of sexual health services) as herself
• Donal Godfrey (Irish Jesuit priest of the Society of Jesus, university chaplain, author, and activist) as himself
• Todd Weiler (Republican member of the Utah State Senate) as himself

Release

A Sexplanation had its world premiere at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival from March 20–30, 2021 ^[4][5] winning the Audience Award for Feature Documentary.^[6]

The film had its international premiere at the Inside Out LGBTQ Film Festival May 27-June 6, 2021 in Toronto, where it also won the Audience Award for Feature Documentary.^[7]

The film also aired on the American television channel Fuse TV beginning in May 2022.^[8][9][10]

Reception

Critical response

A Sexplanation was a New York Times Critic's Pick with writer Claire Shaffer saying, "Liu lends a frankness and sensitivity to the topic that would make “A Sexplanation” suitable to be shown in a classroom..."^[11]

Phuong Le of The Guardian wrote, "Alex Liu makes for a charismatic guide to the sexual landscape of America, with an engaging curiosity to help demystify the birds and the bees... it sparkles with an engaging curiosity."^[12]

Noel Murray from The Los Angeles Times described the film as "an entertaining movie with admirable intentions, pushing the audience to rethink their presumptions about pleasure."^[13]

Randy Myers of The Mercury News wrote, "[Liu] makes a charming guide ... Breezy and engaging."^[4] KQED arts critic Michael Fox said "A Sexplanation is an irreverent, informative and disarming road trip ... and deserves to be disseminated as widely as possible."^[5] Pat Mullen of POV Magazine wrote the movie was "Fun, informative, and sex-positive ... A Sexplanation unabashedly puts the "d" in doc."^[14]

Gary Kramer from Salon reviewed the film saying, "Alex Liu's smart, lively, and thoughtful documentary about sex education — both his in particular and America's in general. Liu's goal is to talk honestly and even vulnerably, about sex, and he covers topics ranging from masturbation and pornography to taboo fantasies to demystify sex and the shame often associated with it. It is through his discussions with his own parents, as well as sex educators and researchers — and even a Catholic priest — that he normalizes dialogue about a topic most folks would prefer not to discuss. 'A Sexplanation' is certainly a conversation starter, and like the numerous interviewees, the ingratiating Liu treats the topic respectfully, and with a healthy curiosity, which is why it is so gratifying."^[15]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on 27 reviews.^[16]

Accolades

References

1. ^ "A Sexplanation (2021) - IMDb", retrieved 2023-03-21
2. ^ Mullen, Pat (2021-05-27). "Putting the D in Doc: Alex Liu Talks A Sexplanation". POV Magazine. Archived 2023-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
3. ^ "'Maybe I would have less shame': Alex Liu's new documentary is about reducing the stigma around sex ed". KCRW. Archived 2023-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
4. ^ Myers, Randy (March 17, 2021). "Cinequest 2021: Here are 12 films to see at San Jose's virtual fest". The Mercury News. Archived March 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
5. ^ Fox, Michael (March 3, 2021). "Now Playing! One of the Best Films We'll See All Year". KQED Inc.. Archived March 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
6. ^ "Cinequest San Jose Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
7. ^ Hipes, Patrick (June 7, 2021). "Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival Winners Include Turkey's 'Love, Spells And All That', UK's 'Sweetheart'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived June 8, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
8. ^ "Fuse", retrieved 2023-03-23
9. ^ Chapman, Wilson (2022-06-01). "'A Sexplanation' Director Alex Liu Unpacks the Failures of Sex Education in America". Variety. Archived 2023-03-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
10. ^ Grobar, Matt (2022-04-22). "'I Don't Want To Drink Your Blood Anymore', 'Forgive Me Father', 'Abigail', 'Condition Of Return', 'Bellmount' And 'Rabbit Hole' Set Casts; Acquisitions By Grindstone, MarVista, Freestyle, More – Film Briefs". Deadline. Archived 2023-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
11. ^ Shaffer, Claire (2022-06-07). "'A Sexplanation' Review: Sex Education Fit for a Classroom". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived 2023-03-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
12. ^ Le, Phuong (2022-05-31). "A Sexplanation review – a personal study of the inadequacy of sex education". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived 2023-03-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
13. ^ Murray, Noel (2022-06-10). "Review: 'The Janes' tell their abortion stories and 'The Righteous' does a slow burn". Los Angeles Times. Archived 2023-03-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
14. ^ Mullen, Pat (May 27, 2021). "Putting the D in Doc: Alex Liu Talks 'A Sexplanation'". POV Magazine. Archived August 8, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
15. ^ Kramer, Gary (June 17, 2021). "There's no shame in "A Sexplanation," a fun, honest documentary that steps in where sex ed left off". Salon. Archived August 6, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
16. ^ "A Sexplanation - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived 2023-03-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
17. ^ "Asian American International Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
18. ^ "Cleveland International Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
19. ^ "DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
20. ^ "Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
21. ^ "Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
22. ^ "Awards". Phoenix Film Festival. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
23. ^ "Red Rock Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
24. ^ "Reel Q: Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
25. ^ "São Paulo International Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
26. ^ "Tallgrass International Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
27. ^ Higgins, John (2022-02-20). "Paris International Film Festival 2022: Award Winners Announced". Film and TV Now. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
28. ^ "The Queerties (2023)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-20.

External links

• A Sexplanation at IMDb