This is a simple but effective documentary that sheds light on an topic that is likely a little more well known today, in 2020, than it might've been back in 2011... but one that's likely still not very well understood. That topic is asexuality, with approximately 1% of the population declaring themselves asexual, according to this documentary. It's a lot of people when you think about it, considering almost everyone would have at least 100 people in their lives they know somewhat well. Considering that this documentary is still less than a decade old, it's surprising how recently this form of identity has been openly talked about. I do really like how the Internet was shown to be vital in allowing asexuals to form a community and have their identity understood and publicised. It's far too common for films (and documentaries in particular) to focus on the nasty, negative, and more sensational aspects of the Internet, so for this one to show it as beneficial and welcoming was a nice change.
It's a clear and sympathetic portrayal of what it means to be asexual, why it's difficult, and how it can also be empowering. It's fairly balanced, and I did appreciate that at least one interviewee was somewhat confused/skeptical about the topic of asexuality, because then these points were able to be explored and argued against more effectively. While I can't guarantee that watching this will make you instantly understand the concept of asexuality (which can be difficult to wrap your head around if you are attracted to other people), it is good that it exists and at the very least will make open-minded people understand a little better. It's good above all else to just be accepting of the fact that some people think and feel differently about these sorts of things. And at the end of the day, even if you're not asexual, the existence of asexuals doesn't exactly threaten you or make you life worse, so why be bothered by it?
There are a few technical issues when it comes to sound, and overall the presentation isn't anything amazing. Since its release, the topic of asexuality may have been covered with arguably more nuance and subtlety through one main character's journey in Bojack Horseman, but it's still a rather underrepresented identity throughout much of fiction. Also worth mentioning in regards to flaws were the talking heads at the start, where people go through many inaccurate myths about asexuality. These felt somewhat forced and maybe scripted, and like they were only there to hook the viewer/ contrast with the same talking heads being more open-minded when interviewed again near the film's end.
Still, at the end of the day, this documentary succeeds, and doesn't overstay its welcome at a brief but effective 75 minutes. It's worth viewing as a way to learn about something that doesn't get covered or explored very often, as well as a way to develop empathy and understanding for an underexposed group in society.
It's a clear and sympathetic portrayal of what it means to be asexual, why it's difficult, and how it can also be empowering. It's fairly balanced, and I did appreciate that at least one interviewee was somewhat confused/skeptical about the topic of asexuality, because then these points were able to be explored and argued against more effectively. While I can't guarantee that watching this will make you instantly understand the concept of asexuality (which can be difficult to wrap your head around if you are attracted to other people), it is good that it exists and at the very least will make open-minded people understand a little better. It's good above all else to just be accepting of the fact that some people think and feel differently about these sorts of things. And at the end of the day, even if you're not asexual, the existence of asexuals doesn't exactly threaten you or make you life worse, so why be bothered by it?
There are a few technical issues when it comes to sound, and overall the presentation isn't anything amazing. Since its release, the topic of asexuality may have been covered with arguably more nuance and subtlety through one main character's journey in Bojack Horseman, but it's still a rather underrepresented identity throughout much of fiction. Also worth mentioning in regards to flaws were the talking heads at the start, where people go through many inaccurate myths about asexuality. These felt somewhat forced and maybe scripted, and like they were only there to hook the viewer/ contrast with the same talking heads being more open-minded when interviewed again near the film's end.
Still, at the end of the day, this documentary succeeds, and doesn't overstay its welcome at a brief but effective 75 minutes. It's worth viewing as a way to learn about something that doesn't get covered or explored very often, as well as a way to develop empathy and understanding for an underexposed group in society.
