VIFF: Shortbus

In the event you've missed all the fuss, this is the film which almost cost Sook-Yin Lee her CBC radio gig. You've seen or heard Sook-Yin at some point unless you've been asleep for the past couple decades; she's a MuchMusic alumnus, actor, CBC radio host, and even vocalist for Vancouver's Bob's Your Uncle back in the early 90s.

She's not the whole story, but she takes part in some rather graphic sex scenes in the first ten minutes of the film; as the press release states; "non-simulated sex scenes". Chloe Sevigny has nothing on Sook-Yin or any of the other cast members here.

Oddly, the sex acts aren't quite as sexy as you'd think... this isn't hardcore porn some how; the mood is light, and there's nothing but consensual adults here. There's little that feels like acting, but there are some rather surprising acrobatic feats that would appear to defy gravity; and physics. There's auto-fellatio, orgy scenes, girl on girl, girl on boys, circle jerks, and oh so much more, but handled in a way that keeps the mood light and surprisingly non-sexual.

Then again, maybe that's just me.

It's a good film, though it could have stood to tie things up quicker towards the end; it was starting to wear on a bit with the multiple story lines and relationships taking their sweet time to resolve themselves; and in the wrong ways in some cases if you ask me. Severin and Sophie would have been a better match if you ask me.

The film starts in limited, "non-rated" release in New York on October 4th, and in Vancouver and other cities on October 6th at Fifth Avenue.

Official website

VIFF Screenings
Mon, Oct 2, 3:45 pm @ Empire Granville