Peter Cottontail: The Movie Review

by Nicholas Parrott (nhp AT aber DOT ac DOT uk)
November 22nd, 1995
06
    A film review by Nicholas Parrott
    Copyright 1995 Nicholas Parrott

(Theo van Gogh, Holland, 1995)
Welsh International Film Festival, Theatre Y Werin Aberystwyth, 16/11/95
    In Holland 06 is the code for special services, including sex lines. Here complete strangers can meet and share their personal fantasies. Thomas replies to Sara's advert and soon they are involved in exploring their erotic fantasies over the phone. Thursday nights become their regular "date." But Sara has control as Thomas doesn't have her number. And only towards the end of the film does Thomas start to influence the direction of the relationship.

    06 is a slow-moving, minimalist movie which explores the anonymity and absurdity of telephone sex without sending it up. Here is a world that exists only in fantasy, where lovers can adopt whatever physical characteristics, dress or sexuality that they chose, and where lies are rarely found out. This is a bittersweet if sometimes laboured account of two peoples attempts to balance the erotic attraction of talking dirty to a complete stranger and their denial that this is part of the lives. Thomas's reaction when Sara describes, in detail, a recent sexual exploit to him is intriguing, raising questions whether theirs is a real relationship or not. This movie will probably get no further than the arts clubs, but is fascinating viewing for those interested in the politics of sex.

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Nick Parrott

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