“A fun, honest documentary that steps in where sex ed left off.” — Gary Kramer, Salon
“By nature, to be a human being is to be a sexual being. It’s unavoidable. And that’s beautiful.” — Marta Balaga, Variety
“Fun, informative, and sex-positive…A Sexplanation unabashedly puts the “d” in doc.” — Pat Mullen, POV Magazine
“Funny, frank, and thorough.” — Evan Dossey, Midwest Film Journal
“Filmmaker Alex Liu goes on a journey to address his own sexual upbringing and the role of sex ed in America in this refreshing, honest and surprisingly funny documentary.” — Christopher Lloyd, The Film Yap
“Breezy and engaging.” — Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
Passion River, in association with Herra Productions, has today confirmed that the hilarious yet poignant multi-award winning documentary, A Sexplanation, will be available on Digital Download from 7th June in AU & NZ.
A Sexplanation is just your typical queer, Asian American, comedic sex education documentary about the universal search for love, connection, and family acceptance.
To right the wrongs of his all-American sex education, 36-year-old health reporter Alex Liu goes on a quest to uncover naked truths and hard facts—no matter how awkward it gets.
From neuroscience labs to church pews, A Sexplanation features provocative conversations with psychologists, sex researchers—and even a Jesuit priest. With humor and grit, Alex takes audiences on a playful, heartfelt journey from a shame-filled past to a happier, healthier, sexier future.
Like many Americans in the 90s, the adults in Alex’s life taught him that abstinence made him good. These tactics worked to suppress his sexuality—all the more because he was gay. But ultimately, years of repression disconnected him from his body, his desires, and his family.
Now in his 30s, Alex still hasn’t outgrown these hang-ups. The fear mongering from school, media, and religion continues to permeate throughout his life—in both big ways and small.
Fed up, Alex decides it’s time to turn years of fear and loathing into something positive and humorous. A Sexplanation follows his pursuit of shame-free pleasure and call for comprehensive sex education. Along the way, he’s surprised to discover it’s never too late to have “The Talk”—even with his parents.
Directed by Alex Liu, it is written by Leonardo Neri and Alex Liu, produced by Steven Flynn, and edited by Brian Emerick and Alex Liu. Brian Emerick serves as Cinematographer. (81 mins, English, Documentary—Social and Cultural, USA).
A Sexplanation screened at 32 film festivals on 4 continents, 8 countries, and 18 states, winning 9 festival awards.
Alex Liu, writer and director: “A Sexplanation follows my quest to confront my sex education — by finally getting a real one.
Growing up, sex felt shameful. My parents never brought it up. School focused on disease, pregnancy, and abstinence. By my 30s, I was surprised by how much shame I still carried. After talking with friends, I realized I wasn’t alone.
The film documents my attempt to strip away this shame, no matter how awkward it might get — even masturbating in an MRI machine (for science!).
Through honest conversations with scientists, educators, and even my parents, I try to uncover some naked truths and hard facts that will get us to a healthier, sexier future.”
A Sexplanation will be available on Digital Download in Australia And NZ from 7th June on iTunes.
Awards
Audience Award, Feature Documentary (Cinequest, Inside Out, Asian American Int’l, ReelQ, Paris Int’l),
Jury Award, Feature Documentary (DC Asian Pacific, Honolulu Rainbow)
Jury Award, Best First Time Film (Tallgrass)
Audience Award, Feature Film (Phoenix)
FACTS
In 2018, only 37% of Australian students found their Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) very or extremely relevant. Many stated they wanted education to cover sexual pleasure and not just reproductive health.
By 13-years-old, 48% of Australian boys have watched pornography. By 15-years-old, 48% of Australian girls have watched porn.
