“Sebastian”

The explicit sexual content in “Sebastian” may help show the reality of the lead character’s life, but it also feels unnecessarily salacious. It’s not a good sign when that’s the main talking point of a film, and writer – director Mikko Makela takes his taboo story a little too far. I’m not a prude, but the unmuted sexual content is borderline ridiculous, and a good storyteller could get their point across without resorting to a highly sexualized gimmick.

Max (Ruaridh Mollica) is a twenty-something aspiring writer who ambitiously wants to write a book about digital hustlers (a.k.a. sex workers who use technology). In a bid to do extensive research into the field, Max begins a double life as a sex worker. His book becomes secretly autobiographical as Max experiences more explicit encounters with the men who hire him. At first he’s simply curious, but as he settles into his new secret life, Max finds an awakening that turns his attitude into one of effortless pleasure and titillating intoxication.

The story isn’t bad, and could’ve been far more interesting if the main character wasn’t so weak. Sebastian is poorly written and not fully developed, and it was downright impossible to form any kind of meaningful emotional connection with him.  

On a positive note, Makela’s film refrains from lending any message of morality. The explicit sex scenes will keep away mainstream audiences, and I think this could’ve been a far better movie without them. However, “Sebastian” is a sex-positive story about liberation and celebrating your own desires, which is never a bad thing.

By: Louisa Moore