I am a Sex Addict

One of the most difficult genres for any write/director has to be the autobiography. He has to tread the line between creating something of interest for the audience and complete self indulgence. Caveh Zahedi’s film ‘I am a Sex Addict’ walks this line moving as it were from one side to the other. Through some twenty years of his life and a couple of resulting failed marriages Zahedi had an addiction to prostitutes. This was not just giving in to the occasional carnal inclinations but was a strong of a compulsion as any street junkie looking desperately for his next fix. Zahedi looks back at this dark period of his life wife uninhibited frankness and humor that is simultaneously funny and repulsive to the audience. He openly admits that this film while generally autobiographical does contain some contrived sections, fake scenes to display the mood and feelings over complete accuracy.

The film begins with Zahedi standing in a tuxedo about to embark on his third marriage. He turns to the audience and begins to tell us about his trepidations with this relationship since he sabotaged every other one in his life. His first marriage was to a French woman, Caroline (Rebecca Lord), who just wanted to get an immigration card. While walking in the streets of Paris he comes across a street walker with an amazing resemblance to his new wife. He begins to wonder what sex with this prostitute would be like. Unlike men that posses a modicum of common sense and moral turpitude he allows this fleeting thought to be realized. The proverbial die was cast when he comes across a Parisian prostitute (Olia Natasha) who helps to set the wheels in motion. As if this transgression was not bad enough he confesses it to his new wife. She is faced not only with the infidelity of her husband but is overwhelming need to share every little dirty detail with her. This sets the pattern that will control Zahedi for the next two decades. Needless to say his time with Caroline was long. Sure she wanted that green card but the price she had to pay was just too much and they couple parted ways. His next relationship is with Christa (Emily Morse, another aspirating film maker. She is noticeable embarrassed by his fascination with receiving oral sex. Perhaps this was partly the actress’ own inhibitions but it works also works well within the context of the film. Next up in the relationship lottery is Devin (Amanda Henderson), a program director for a film festival. She tells Zahedi that she will be more open minded to his fetishes but living with the truth of his addiction is ultimately more than she can put up with. He attempts to rationale his compulsion by telling Devin that film maker Jean Luc Godard also had a fascination with prostitutes but that is little comfort for her. Very soon Zahedi is unable to separate his fantasies from a semblance of reality. His addiction controls every aspect of his life. He makes excuses to others, really trying to convince himself, with such nonsense as marriage is part of the same capitalistic system that killed innocent people in Viet Nam. He does everything possible to avoid facing the fact that his life is out of control and he lacks the motivation to change.

If you look at the cast listing there is one thing that stands out. Most of the characters are referred to only with such ambiguous terms as ‘Italian prostitute’, ‘New York Prostitute’ or ‘Asian Prostitute’. This perfectly reflects Zahedi’s misogyny and narcissism. Women are nothing more that a means to fulfill the sexual requirements of his addiction. There is no emotional connection with them, he is incapable of such attachments even with women who he professes love. They are merely a means to a deviant end. Considering this is a movie about sex there is no way it can be described as erotic. There is nothing ‘sexy’ about the nudity or sexual acts portrayed. They are no more thrilling to a well balanced individual then watching a drug addict inject themselves with a needle. In fact it is basically the same action, feeding a beast, without any emotion other than momentary satisfaction and relief from the compulsion. As with any story of addiction he has to hit bottom and he does. He finally comes to realize that he will never succeed in any aspect of his life until he can conquer this.

Say what you will of Caveh Zahedi he is a talented writer and director. While this film is flawed it does posses an internal sense of humor. He is self deprecating and finds a dark comedy to his self imposed situations and failures. Looking back over the years he was in the grip of this addiction he is able to laugh at himself hope the audience will get the joke. Even this is a defense mechanism. He seems to not want to admit how painful the time was by laughing at it. He employs digital video to give the feel of being there, almost a documentary in some components of the style. While many film makers will break the forth wall and speak directly to the audience Zahedi uses this device frequently. He will turn to the audience and speak out about the scene, part confession and part on screen commentary. There is no need for a separate commentary track he as built one directly in the film. He brings out a blackboard to show the audience how he has mapped out a strategy to overcome his obsession with hookers. Zahedi uses home movies to emphasize the autobiographical nature of the work. The direction is choppy, almost like a man standing in a twelve step program just letting the story come as he recalls it.

I have to admit that of all the studios whose films I review I really look forward to titles by Genius Products and the Independent Film Channel. I know that even if I have never heard of the film it will be different from the plethora of big studio faire. They have the courage to present films on DVD that are made by people who love films for people who love films. This was admittedly not an easy film to watch but it did what it set out to do, show a very personal account of a troubled man. The video is presented in a non-anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer. It is reasonably clear with a natural color balance. The contrast is often pushed for effect. The Dolby two channel stereo gets the job done without much flair or distinction. The extras consist of thee in depth looks at scenes in the film. Wait until the children are visiting friends before you pop this disc in your DVD player. It is sad, funny and disturbing all at the same time but it is a well made film.

Posted 09/20/06