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A Sexplanation

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A Sexplanation
Film poster
Directed byAlex Liu
Written byAlex Liu, Leonardo Neri
Produced bySteven Flynn
StarringAlex Liu
CinematographyBrian Emerick
Edited byBrian Emerick, Alex Liu
Music byMoritz Schmittat
Production
company
Herra Productions
Release date
Running time
81 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

A Sexplanation is a 2021 American documentary film directed by and starring Alex Liu, a Chinese American independent filmmaker.[2] The film, which explores issues concerning sexual stigma, shame, pleasure, and pride in the context of debates over comprehensive sex education,[3][4] 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

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  • 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

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A Sexplanation had its world premiere at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival from March 20–30, 2021 [5][6] winning the Audience Award for Feature Documentary.[7]

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.[8]

The film also aired on the American television channel Fuse TV beginning in May 2022.[9][10][11]

Reception

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Critical response

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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..."[12]

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."[13]

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."[14]

Randy Myers of The Mercury News wrote, "[Liu] makes a charming guide ... Breezy and engaging."[5] 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."[6] Pat Mullen of POV Magazine wrote the movie was "Fun, informative, and sex-positive ... A Sexplanation unabashedly puts the "d" in doc."[15]

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."[16]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on 27 reviews.[17]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Result Ref.
2021 Asian American International Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature Won [18]
2021 Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival Audience Award for Feature Documentary Won [7]
2021 Cleveland International Film Festival Ad Hoc Docs Competition Nominated [19]
2021 DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival Best Documentary Feature Won [20]
2021 Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival Best Documentary Feature Won [21]
2021 InsideOut LGBTQ Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary Won [22]
2021 Phoenix Film Festival Donor’s Choice Competition Feature Film Won [23]
2021 Red Rock Film Festival Best Documentary Feature Nominated [24]
2021 Reel Q Pittsburgh International LGBT Festival Best Documentary Film Won [25]
2021 São Paulo International Film Festival New Directors Competition / Best Film Nominated [26]
2021 Tallgrass Film Festival Outstanding First Feature Won [27]
2022 Paris International Film Festival Best Documentary For Change / Audience Award Won [28]
2023 The Queerties Best Documentary Nominated [29]

References

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  1. ^ "A Sexplanation World Premiere". Cinejoy. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  2. ^ A Sexplanation (2021) - IMDb, retrieved March 21, 2023
  3. ^ Mullen, Pat (May 27, 2021). "Putting the D in Doc: Alex Liu Talks A Sexplanation". POV Magazine. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  4. ^ "'Maybe I would have less shame': Alex Liu's new documentary is about reducing the stigma around sex ed". KCRW. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Myers, Randy (March 17, 2021). "Cinequest 2021: Here are 12 films to see at San Jose's virtual fest". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on March 17, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Fox, Michael (March 3, 2021). "Now Playing! One of the Best Films We'll See All Year". KQED Inc. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Cinequest San Jose Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  8. ^ 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 from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  9. ^ Fuse, retrieved March 23, 2023
  10. ^ Chapman, Wilson (June 1, 2022). "'A Sexplanation' Director Alex Liu Unpacks the Failures of Sex Education in America". Variety. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  11. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 22, 2022). "'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 from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  12. ^ Shaffer, Claire (June 7, 2022). "'A Sexplanation' Review: Sex Education Fit for a Classroom". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  13. ^ Le, Phuong (May 31, 2022). "A Sexplanation review – a personal study of the inadequacy of sex education". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  14. ^ Murray, Noel (June 10, 2022). "Review: 'The Janes' tell their abortion stories and 'The Righteous' does a slow burn". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  15. ^ Mullen, Pat (May 27, 2021). "Putting the D in Doc: Alex Liu Talks 'A Sexplanation'". POV Magazine. Archived from the original on August 8, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  16. ^ 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 from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  17. ^ "A Sexplanation - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  18. ^ "Asian American International Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  19. ^ "Cleveland International Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  21. ^ "Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  22. ^ "Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  23. ^ "Awards". Phoenix Film Festival. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  24. ^ "Red Rock Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  25. ^ "Reel Q: Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  26. ^ "São Paulo International Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "Tallgrass International Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  28. ^ Higgins, John (February 20, 2022). "Paris International Film Festival 2022: Award Winners Announced". Film and TV Now. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  29. ^ "The Queerties (2023)". IMDb. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
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