by: shelby, atia,
and mercedes

themes of sexual repression, impotence (sex), denial,
(lies), and therapy (videotape)
• taboo issues
• context of the ‘80s era

circumstance of production
• budget constraints

auto-biographical?
sex, lies, and videotape is an independent film
because of the contentious themes it undertakes.
In keeping with the spirit of independent films,
Soderbergh made this one with the intention of
critiquing society based on his own psychological
experience.
paranoia, impotence, and repression
 greatest
health-related scare of our time
 UK government launched ‘biggest public
health campaign’
 ominous advertisements on TV, cinemas,
press, and leaflets


“Men learn to love the women they are attracted to,
and women become more and more attracted to the
person they love” – Graham quoting unknown
Woman: sex as an act of love
• Ann did not want John to touch her
• “Woman don’t want it (sex) for the same reason men think they
do” – Ann

Men: competitively and to feel good
• “As soon as you got a ring on your finger, you get the most
spectacular attention from the opposite gender” -John
• “She’s good in bed and can keep a secret, that’s all I can say
about her” - John
• John’s relationship with Cynthia based on sex
 Ann:
• sexually repressed
• conservative
• “I wouldn’t miss it (sex)” -Ann
• “I think sex is overrated… I think people place
far too much importance on it” – Ann
• “I tried once but it just seems so stupid… a
dumb thing to do” – Ann
• “You just ask them questions?” – Ann
• “I couldn’t even do it in front of John” - Ann
Cynthia:
• comfortable with her sexual side
• promiscuous
• “I think you’re afraid he’ll
(Graham) be undeniably drawn
to me” – Cynthia
• “I wanted him to see me” –
Cynthia
• “It bothers me when I think
about men because I know that’s
the way she (Cynthia) thinks” Ann
 “I’m
impotent”
 “Does that bother
you?”
• “No”
 “Does
it make you feel
subconscious?”
• “Not usually.. Not the
same way you (Ann) are”
 represents
fertility
• no plants at Graham’s house
(impotence)
 exchange
between John and
Cynthia before they have sex
(gift)
John goes to Cynthia’s house and viewer is introduced to
their relationship
Cynthia goes over to John/Ann’s home and has sex at
their house for the first time
“Is it for me?” - Cynthia
denial
 Outright/hiding
• John
• Cynthia
 Denial
• Ann
the truth
“I think it's gonna rain.”
“ It is raining.”
“Perhaps he senses your hesitance at
being touched. “
“But that's the weird thing, because he
started not touching me before I started
feelin' like that. “
 “Mr
 “I
Apostle of Truth!” –John
was a pathological liar. Or I am, I
should say.” -Graham
 medium
of videotape
• commentary on film industry as a whole
 larger
implications:
• society can’t address sexual anxieties and issues
 would that make us all liars?
therapy
 Therapy
was a private matter, thus
admitting your participation in therapy
uncommon.
 Videotape works as a therapy because it
captures the truth of the moment
 Ann and Graham are the main
protagonists with overwhelming issues
 Beginning
With Therapy
• Unsatisfied with marriage and intimate life
• Only one open with personal problems

Ann’s Videotape
• Ann begins discussing sexual experiences.
• Role reversal, in the beginning Ann is the
patient and now Graham is.
 Issue
to resolve:
• Self-imposed impotence
 Videotape
• Videotapes as a ‘sex therapy’
• Ann questions his rationale

Closure
• “I fucked Elizabeth. Before you broke up. Before you were
havin' trouble, even. She's no saint. ” - John
 Females
are ultimately the powerful ones
and able to take control of the situation
• Cynthia breaks it off with John
• Ann divorces John
 Soderbergh
mistrusts therapy
• Therapists are paid friends
 He knows nothing about them
 “You shouldn’t take advise from someone who doesn’t
know you intimately” - Graham
 Different
parts of his personality in each
of the 4 characters
 Period of his life where he drank too
much, philandered, fabricated, blew a
major relationship
 Truth, lies, and sex anecdotes from his
own experiences

Making a film without thinking about monetary gain
• “I’m process-driven not result-driven” -Soderbergh

Focus on youth audience (youth/20’s) – advertisement
• Sex, controversy, violence as sales strategies Perren
• Images convey raciness, something more adult –
Perren