Sex, Lies Videotape

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

Jon Lewis, in his book American Film: A History, notes that Sex, Lies, and Videotape is “such a talky, quirky, intellectually and formally challenging movie” (Lewis 393). While I must agree with this statement, might I add that the film is also very contemporary in the sense that it touches on topics that needed to be talked about at the time that it was made, but wasn’t necessary being put in the light for the public to ponder on. Thankfully, Soderberg

felt that the world needed to swallow whatever was holding them back, and openly embrace what is real and true… what is life. This aspect is one that was brought up during the class lecture that struck me. The film itself stands out in such a mesmerizing way in the sense that in a film all about sex, there isn’t as much flesh that one would think there would be. Instead, Soderberg found a way to let the sex come about from the unspoken words the characters never uttered, the tantalizing body language and interpersonal relationships that fell just short of anything too provocative. Round of applause to Soderberg for creating such a masterpiece that broke into the industry and dares anything to cover its mark.

Lewis, Jon. American Film: A History. 1st ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2008. Print.

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content. 

“How Steven Soderberg’s ‘sex, lies, videotape’ Still Influences Sundance After 25 Years” by Sean Axmaker is a short article that starts off rather upbeat talking about the film’s budget and the awards it won, as well as the recognition that it received. Interestingly, Axmaker starts off with an evocative question of whether the Sundance Film Festival made Sex, Lies and Videotape, or if Sex, Lies and Videotape put Sundance on the map, and I honestly

can see a good argument on either side of this. Axmaker went on to emphasize the way that the film changed independent film making since its release and went on to write that Soderberg’s “honesty, and his ability to tap the cultural zeitgeist, created the first-ever hit to come out of Sundance competition” (Axmaker, par. 3). Afterwards, Axmaker went on to talk more about Soderberg as a person and his journey in the business, touching on the ways he grew over time and honed his artistic craft and abilities even more. Surprisingly, something that I did not know that Axmaker points out is that Soderberg retired from filmmaking. Axmaker left the article on that note with an end quote of words Soderberg left for the industry.

***Link to article used*** 

Axmaker, Sean. "How Steven Soderbergh's 'sex, Lies and Videotape' Still Influences Sundance

After 25 Years." Indiewire. 15 Jan. 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2016. <http://www.indiewire.com/article/how-steven-soderberghs-sex-lies-and-videotape-still-influences-sundance-after-25-years>.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.  

I wouldn’t necessarily say that the article changed my views/perspective about Sex, Lies, and Videotape, but rather opened my eyes to how important it is in film history. I had the opportunity to learn about Steven Soderberg, his work, and the way he progressed not only as person, but with his work and his art. As aforementioned, Axmaker added that Soderberg retired, and this was something that I did not know as I am still very much in a beginner’s stage when it comes to learning about film history and how much I know already. Just from seeing this film, I already appreciate Steven Soderberg and his art. He definitely left a good first impression on me. In addition, I will agree with the article in that most of the nakedness of the film is emotional. The audience sees so much of these characters inside and out. Emotion is really a driving force for this film and communicated so much.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film.

I am so glad that this film was made as an indie film to keep the integrity of it, and to avoid cutting out some of the most important material that really brings the film to life. Just by my initial reaction to the film, I must say that Soderberg has really clutched the very epitome of timeless with Sex, Lies, and Videotape. I say this to say that the topic of the film may always be “contemporary” or daring in a way because while times have changed and there is such an acceptance of things involving sex especially commercially and in movies, there’s always going to be that eye-widening and body-tensing feeling. Society is open to the topic of sex more so than it was then, but in the same token still has some reservations about where it should be and appear. Years from now, I hope that generations can sense that and understand and appreciate the breakthrough that this film has made in the industry.  

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.