Scientist and writer Alex Liu has garnered quite a following on his YouTube channels and through other media. He is mostly known for his work in drug and sex education and self-describes thus: I try to make funny films about serious subjects.
A Sexplanation is his first feature-length documentary. He sets out, as a 36-year old gay, Asian-American man, to unravel the shame he still sometimes feels around sex. He also sets out to enrich his relationship with his parents, through talking to them openly, for the first time, about both his sex life and theirs. Along the journey he talks to sex educators, his peers, old friends, and sexual researchers. He even allows himself to be a participant in some research on the human orgasm.
Liu himself brings a fresh openness, honesty, and authenticity to this work, along with a sharp sense of humour. He allows his interview subjects to talk freely, whilst also engaging with them in a very watchable way. Animator Kelvin Wong has added some light-hearted illustrations and co-writer Leonardo Neri has helped Liu pull together a documentary narrative that holds together, yet is still quirky and episodic.
Although A Sexplanation is built on a foundation of personal journey, at its heart is an examination of the state of sex ed in American schools. Statistics around acceptable curriculum state-by-state are, frankly, horrifying. The abstinence movement is still going strong, despite indisputable proof that it increases the rate of teen pregnancies. And sex is often still taught as simply something which “makes babies”. As one of Liu’s interviewees points out, even in a monogamous male-female marriage, sex for baby-making is a minute percentage of the overall sexual activity.
Various areas of sex are still seen as slightly taboo in conversation, even amongst young people, such as masturbation, dark fantasies, and porn-watching. Liu seeks to find out why that is, and where the deep-seated shame comes from.
Sex ed is Australia is far less troubled than that in America, but we still have a long way to go. And we can learn much from this film. And most of us still carry some shame around our sexual being. Everyone who sees this film will have at least one moment of recognition, and hopefully of relief that they are ‘not the only one’.
There are many adorable, funny, warm, and fascinating scenes in this film. The conversations Liu has with his gorgeous parents are some of the highlights, as well as his dinner-party discussion with friends.
At one stage Liu visits are forward-thinking program, which brings 10-11 year-olds and their parents together for sex education (one of the running themes is that sex ed generally happens too late). One of the children has written an anonymous question: ‘What does sex feel like?’ so the facilitator throws the question out to the parents. One of the dads pipes up ‘It’s like getting a new Lego set!’
After watching this wonderful documentary you will feel much happier with your Lego set, and more confident about asking other people to help you build it.
Audience Award, Feature Documentary (Cinequest, Inside Out, Asian American Int’l, ReelQ, Paris Int’l),
Jury Award, Feature Documentary (DC Asian Pacific, Honolulu Rainbow)
Jury Award, Best First Time Film (Tallgrass)
Audience Award, Feature Film (Phoenix)
A Sexplanation is available on digital download from 7th June
Refreshing, delightful, and intelligent 4.5 stars
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