Not a documentary about sex, but rather a documentary on controversial New York photographer Andres Serrano, this independent film follows the contentious artist around as he fixes photo shoots for a sex-themed exhibition. The film also divulges Serrano's background, particularly the stir he caused by shooting a crucifix in a tank of urine in the 1980s. Serrano does not talk much to the camera but through interviews with his associates, the fascination that some have with his work comes across. One associate memorably pegs it is as "being seduced by something one doesn't want to look at". Whether Serrano is just controversial for the sake of it or whether he has something to say is debatable, but something he mentions about disliking contradictions such as a "church that faces a bunch of brothels" resonates. For all its intriguing content, the documentary is nevertheless compromised by lots of grainy video footage. Scenes also tend to linger on Serrano setting shots up while mumbling to his assistants - something that affects the film's pacing. There are, however, sufficient truly unexpected images throughout to keep one transfixed. A lot of drive comes from wondering what shocking thing he will do next; e.g. what appears to simply be a shoot of a mother breastfeeding her baby in a dilapidated church soon turns out to be more. The equally controversial John Waters also has a fun meeting with Serrano late in the piece. Nick Broomfield's amazing 'Fetishes' this documentary is not, but there is something curious about it, fragmented and patchy as it may be.
A History of Sex
2003
Documentary
A History of Sex
2003
Documentary
Plot summary
Andres Serrano is a New York photographer most famous for his controversial 1987 work Piss Christ. This documentary follows him to Amsterdam where he shoots a collection based on all aspects of sex.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 698.96 MB
1280*714
English 2.0
NR