Zerophiliacs do not exist, but the conviction and daring of this feature-film debut by Martin Curland inspires belief in the impossible. On a solo camping excursion, Luke (Taylor Handley) loses his virginity to a British woman, who turns the young man into a zerophiliac, a person with the ability to change sexes during the throws of sexual excitement. This perpetuates all sorts of confusion and panic when Luke, as Luca (Marieh Delfino), finds that he’s no longer attracted to Michelle (Rebecca Mozo) but to her mechanic brother Max (Kyle Schmid). Sydney (Gina Bellman), a doctor and expert on Luke’s very-rare condition, only confuses matters, telling the young man he must either live with his zerophilia or “lock” his sex by getting physical with another zerophiliac. Possibly the most homorific teen comedy ever made, Zerophila pushes a liquid view of sexual identity that’s excitingly inquisitive about our personal sexual fantasies and hang-ups. The androgynous features of the super-cute cast befit the subject matter, but Curland’s visual style is not as amorphous as his ideas. (Imagine what David Lynch could have done with this rich material.) Still, while Curland’s mind may move faster than his kino-eye, the story’s conceptual imagination and flourishes boggle the mind—so much so the film should come with a surgeon general’s warning: may cause gender confusion.
Since 2001, we've brought you uncompromising, candid takes on the world of film, music, television, video games, theater, and more. Independently owned and operated publications like Slant have been hit hard in recent years, but we’re committed to keeping our content free and accessible—meaning no paywalls or fees.
If you like what we do, please consider subscribing to our Patreon or making a donation.
