why is SFF so horny?!

Compiled by Matthew Donlan

Is it just me or is it getting hot in Sydney? Seems like every second film at this year's festival is a steamy, raunchy, horny flick. On Saturday night, the State Theatre was treated to a double-feature of intense masturbatory scenes in Leviticus and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. And don't forget the raunchy late night Ritz films with Mile End Kicks and I Want Your Sex.

Here are a few reviews submitted by fellow fleas from the festival so far! If yours didn't make it, don't worry! We'll be doing another round next week.

You can contribute your own rapid review here for next week's newsletter!

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (words by Charlotte)
Jane Schoenbrun declares that the orgasm is non-binary and the State Theatre erupts into applause! It's camp. It's unashamedly horny. It's so so lesbian. It's got like maybe 700 cross dissolves. What more could you ask for really?

The Invite (words by Matthew)
SFF attendees had the option of seeing Olivia Wilde twice but I only chose one. This is Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? meets compersion. The incredibly fast-paced script drives the energy of this film with wonderful comedic turns from Edward Norton and Penelope Cruz, and the final act gives way to a sentimentality that struck a chord with many in the State Theatre.

I Want Your Sex (words by Molly)
Gregg Araki has returned in full form, after not releasing a film for 12 years. It is a sex-comedy with Gen Z in mind, that dares to address the rise of sexual purity and defend the sex in art. Araki is reaching out and telling the audience that sex is messy, foolish and vulnerable but that does not mean it should be refrained from. It's about being honest about desire even if it leads to bad outcomes. Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman are committed to their performances, and the film had the sold out Ritz audience in tears of laughter.

Leviticus (words by Anwyn)
The horror is fantastic in this! It’s violent! Its gory! It’s timed incredibly well! This film had the first sex scene between two characters in any TV or film that I truly HATED because I was so deeply stressed which has shocked and impressed me. Truly this team should be so so proud of themselves and I’m so glad that they heard the entire state theatre cheer and sing their praise in the ending credits.

Vive L'Amour (words by Brock)
It is a freakily tender depiction of the loneliness of capitalism. How in the case of a financial baron (in Taiwan), hedonism is only a caught rat in the seams of decay. As two squatters and a real estate agent utilise a vacant apartment as a getaway from struggle. For self discovery, for one night stands, for suicide, or simply due to brokeness. The film asks what is pleasure and lust for if not to suppress the suffering of survival (in capitalism). But it is this point which swallows itself when it comes to the meandering ending, which would be powerful if earned with more character development of the real estate agent.

The Fox (words by Ben)
Olivia Colman is a horny fox and Sam Neill is a dickhead magpie, what more could the average person ask for! As each scene plays into the next, the absurdity and humour of the situation this film presents to the audience grows exponentially. The writing is witty, sharp and hilarious. Great film, check it out if you can!

Mile End Kicks (words by Matthew)
From the creator of I Like Movies comes I Like Music. This film shares much of the DNA from Chandler's previous work with a socially-awkward young adult enter the world via their passion for an artform. But this method works wonders in creating empathy as we root for Barbie Ferreira's character to make the right decision. It's fun, honest and awkward.

There's no guide this week because Sydney Film Festival is still on. Go out there and enjoy some films!