Sorry I Am Late, I Was Masturbating
Is Female Masturbation Too Daring for Some?
Directed by Alena Shevchenko
Interview by Curation Hour
When something is taboo, it’s our nature as a society to understand the reason behind it. In the hypersexualised world we live in, how is it possible that something as natural as female masturbation is still seen as too-daring a topic to be discussed and explored via film? This is what Berlin-based director Alena Shevchenko explores in her latest short film Sorry I Am Late, I Was Masturbating.
Channeling comedy, cuteness and even featuring a tribute to one of the most beloved princess sailor warriors, the film raises the important question as to why this topic makes people still so uncomfortable - even in a city like Berlin, renowned for being very sex-positive. Curation Hour sits down with Shevchenko to ask her a few questions about her work, what inspired her, and how she got around some of the challenges the title of the film may have posed.
Your work revolves around relationships, sexuality and comedy. Sorry I am late, I was masturbating is a prime example of these three elements beautifully coming together. Why is it important to share your point of view? What is currently missing from the way we address masturbation as a society?
I wanted to make a nice and ironic film about masturbation from a female perspective for the following reasons:
- Female masturbation is still a taboo: it’s hard to believe, but yes, it still is. It's changing, but slowly. However, masturbation for a man is totally fine. My film aims to encourage self-love with no shame or guilt.
- There’s plenty of serious content about sexuality. I mean sex is represented in a very romantic way and mostly far from reality. As human beings, we aren’t perfect, our bodies aren’t perfect, and sometimes the sex experience isn’t perfect either. And that’s ok!
- I have never seen a short film about female masturbation, so I felt that I should make one.
- And for sure, comedy: it’s the best way to reach people’s hearts. By joking it’s easier for this conversation to become more comfortable, so that we can simply talk about it.
From a commercial perspective, this would be a great example of branded content for, say, a sex toy company. Have you already approached brands in this sector to create content for them? What has been your experience?
I initially had the idea to make this film a collaboration with a sex toy company. But in the end, I felt that I wanted more freedom during the filmmaking process. However, I am now totally open to new collaborations, creating a story from scratch together with a brand.
Take us through the evolution of the concept behind the film. How did the idea first come to mind, how were you looking to explore it, how did it change and why, what did you want to avoid, and how satisfied are you with the final product?
My first inspiration came from the book by Naom Wolf Vagina - A New Biography. It combines cutting-edge science with cultural history to explore the role of female desire and how it affects female identity. There was a chapter about female masturbation, which really grabbed my attention. I started to read more articles about this topic and even watched an interview with porn actresses about their experience and their process of masturbation for inspiration. Naturally, I came up with the idea to tell a story about first-time self-love in a form of a tutorial.
You are based in Berlin, a city renowned for being sex-positive. How easy was it to put a team together and inspire them to take part? Would you say people were generally on board or were they uncomfortable? And if so, how did you overcome the uneasiness?
To be honest, Berlin wasn’t that opened minded to masturbation. It was a surprise for me! The title of the film pushed people away. People were curious to read the script, but not brave enough to make it. For example, for the main role - Hanna - I found Linda, and I understood that she is my hero. But she told me “No, thats’ too provocative for me”. The same happened with the location.
I had to draw a scene-by-scene storyboard to show people that the film is actually cute and never vulgar. So I come back to Linda four months later with the detailed storyboard, where I drew her. And she agreed. Later we managed to secure the location too. The funny thing is that the most provocative thing in my film is the title and people's imagination is dirtier than the film itself. So the lesson for me is “always ask twice and if needed even more”. If you really want to make a film, you need to fight for it.
“The title of the film pushed people away. People were curious to read the script, but not brave enough to make it.”
The cast is on point. Can you tell us a bit more about your approach to casting, in this instance and in general?
I strongly believe that the right character is key to a great film. I could compromise on many things, but not a hero. It's the heart of the film. For the main role - Hanna - I was looking for somebody naive, funny, but with a hidden dark part. Linda was perfect. The film could only work with her. Julian performed the “sexy guy”. One of my ideas was to create chemistry between him and Hanna naturally.
The Sexy Guru - Katja Weitzenböck - I remember that during an online audition I asked her to act like she was a host of a cooking show and she was cooking her favorite dessert. It worked perfectly. She was also our intimate coordinator on set. She helped Linda and Julian (the sexy guy) work together. I trust my heart when I chose a character - and usually, it’s love at the first sight.
We loved your tribute to Sailor Moon. What gave you the idea to include it into film? What does she represent to you and how easy was it to incorporate it into the film?
“Moon Prism Power, Make Up” - I loved this line so much! I could watch this cartoon the whole day. I was trying to be like her when I was a kid. At the same time, My tribute to Sailor Moon was spontaneous. I just came up with this idea much later, when the whole film was almost done. One of the scenes in the film didn't work: everybody kissing each other. The scene was very beautiful, but very cute. The climax moment was missing. So I had to cut it.
I was thinking about what could replace the kissing scene. After two days in the editing room on my own, I found a solution: I tried to use this “transition” moment from the cartoon in the edit and it works perfectly. With my friend and great artist Alena Lavdovskaya, we drew our own version of Sailor Moon. So this story for me is about the hidden beauty of failure: it was a chance to grow and find an even more creative solution. Now I couldn’t imagine the film without the Sailor Moon part.
What are you working on next?
I am writing my own stand-up comedy. It’s something I have never done before. I am scared and excited at the same time. And I would like to make a long format product, so I am writing a mini-series Sorry I Am Not in Love about the commitment phobia of the Y generation.
A film by @alenshev
Starring: Linda Rohrer @lindamarierohrer,, Julien Adler @warumpenny, Katja Weitzenböck @katjaweitz
Director of Photography: @danielobradovic
Production Company: @doity_de
Executive Producer: @therese_scholz
Associate Producer: @saschapollack, @till_ess, @therese_scholz, @nancysabbagh, @alenshev, @laissezfersling
Line Producer: @userinstealthmode
Art Director: @miren_oller
Art Deptartment Assistant: @pauliradic, @silviatorrus, @li3a2, @lisastarmans, @viktoriawai
Costume Designer: @mariankabenesch
Designer: @kill.akira, @perlensau, @kasiaku, @yccij
Hair & Make-Up: @nadine.hochwieser, @aennikin
1st AD: @alejandra_castejon
Intimacy Coach: @katjaweitz
Choreographer: @alishakobilyak
Assistant Producer: Elias Wolf
Catering: Greengurus
1st AC: @julianhanschke
2nd AC / DIT: @janhimmelsbach
16mm Delivery Driver: Nicolae Daniel Bildea
Gaffer: @akselrenner
Electrician: Patrick Wächter, Sabine Ballnat. Nils Berger
Key Grip: @moview
Sound: Technician: @krislimbach
Editor: @hannesweishaupt
Colorist: @florian.staerk
Post Supervisor: @bjoerndunnes
Online / VFX: @bjoerndunnes
Animation: @fashionillustration.studio
Art Director: @alenalavdovskaya
Illustrations: Alena Belonozhko
Motion Designer: Pavel Aushev Animation
Animation Producer: Olga Vostokova
Sounddesign & Mix: @staubaudio
Additional Music: @staubaudio
"Morning Sex" by @ralph_castelli
Song Writer: Carmody Cole Maurice, Stoe Iler
Song Publisher: Tune Core Digital Music
Recording Artist: Ralph Castelli
Master: Low Profile NYC
Publisher: Warner Chappell Music
Behind the Scenes Director: @maksimavdeev
Behind the Scenes Editor: @dominik.leingartner
Special Thanks to
@kodak_shootfilms
@vantagefilmofficial
@cinelabuk
@arri_rental
@commedescostumes
@wasihrwolltberlins
@heiko.richard
@ummmmira
@havelstudios
@sec.studio