Having scooped up the prestigious Un Certain Regard award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the directorial debut of cinematographer Molly Manning Walker is now hitting our screens. Despite the title, it’s not a documentary, but it does bring home some hard truths about consent, sexuality, friendship, and more.
How to watch How to Have Sex in New Zealand
How to Have Sex is screening in New Zealand cinemas right now.
How to Have Sex
What is How to Have Sex about?
On the verge of graduating high school, three friends, Tara, Em, and Skye, hie off to the hedonistic holiday destination that is the Greek town of Malia on the island of Crete for a celebratory, debauched, and well-earned break. Much fun is had, but the sexually-charged, promiscuous atmosphere isn’t all fun and games, and after the virginal Tara has an awkward sexual encounter with fellow partier Paddy, things get dark quick.
The cast of How to Have Sex
Mostly new faces here, or at least unfamiliar ones, with Mia McKenna-Bruce (Persuasion) as Tara, Lara Peake (How to Talk to Girls at Parties) as Skye, Enva Lewis as Em, Samuel Bottomley (Tyrannosaur) as Paddy, Shaun Thomas as nice guy Badger, and Laura Ambler, Eilidh Loan, and Daisy Jelley in support.
How to Have Sex trailer
Why we’re excited about How to Have Sex
Well, the rave reviews for one thing. How to Have Sex has won almost universal acclaim from our fellow picture pundits, and our own Rory Doherty called it “an urgent and resonant story, one that’s rich in character and leaves a lasting impression.” Writer/director Molly Manning Walker avers that the film is loosely autobiographical, and audience members have praised the film’s commitment to examining the messiness of young adult sexuality. But don’t take our word for it…you can check out Rachel Ashby’s interview with the debut director here.
