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If the first instalment is anything to go by, then viewers should not be intimidated by the series. Everyone can learn something from it, and it is a fun and fascinating watch. So, grab a snack and a cosy seat, and let’s talk about Sex and pleasure.
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Sex and pleasure is an eight-part docuseries about sex in South Africa. The trailer features many faces, including a few celebrities. It is a tease that promises humour, insight and spice.
The multitude of voices and experiences that the show will dive into is apparent from the first few minutes. The average sex-haver is featured alongside educators and learned experts. Journalist Romantha Botha and writer Kim Windvogel bring their audience into an experience that is playful, informative and heartfelt. The first episode looks at parenting and growing up, from having (or not having) the birds and the bees talk, to what happens when a child is born intersex. It isn’t just a clinical look at sex; the episode takes a genuinely human approach to the topic. Windvogel and her parents get in front of the camera to talk about their personal experiences within their family surrounding sex talk and sexual orientation.
Director Ayanda Duma explains that the series is aimed at all South Africans, inviting everyone “from conservative to highly liberal to take part in an adult conversation that hasn’t been possible until now”.
The show exposes the many spheres that our sexuality, our gender and our sexual experiences spill into in a thought-provoking way. How, for instance, can a man’s consent be violated by a woman? Why is there no queer sex-ed in schools? And do our laws protect everyone from all forms of sexual assault? These are all questions that are asked and answered in episode one of Sex and pleasure.
It is interspersed with a few colourful infographics. Some information was tricky to absorb, as dialogue continued over the writing on-screen. A lot was put into the one-hour runtime, and in the age of bite-sized social media, this might not hold attention well. Even though there is a running theme, it gets lost in the multitude of anecdotes and perspectives that have been edited together. The show could have benefited from a shorter runtime with more episodes in order to make everything more digestible. But covering all bases seems to be the point, and this was done successfully.
For something that most humans do in private, sex affects and is affected by many factors. The docuseries sheds light on the ways in which South Africa’s lawyers, doctors and educators affect the sex lives of the country’s citizens. Episode one should be especially attention-grabbing for parents, as it highlights the role that guardians can play in guiding children, and what South African legislature should be doing to help and protect its next generation. Are we in a position that benefits everyone across all backgrounds at every point on the gender spectrum? And who is responsible for educating the young about their own conception and, most importantly, their future activities?
If the first instalment is anything to go by, then viewers should not be intimidated by the series. Everyone can learn something from it, and it is a fun and fascinating watch. So, grab a snack and a cosy seat, and let’s talk about Sex and pleasure.
- Sex and pleasure, an 18SNL Showmax Original, premieres on 8 March 2023 with new episodes every Wednesday. Join the conversation: #SexAndPleasureShowmax.