I imagine that intimacy on screen can be difficult, and depicting a teenage version is all the more nerve-wracking. But Sitnicki, Drzymalska, Matczak, and Kaczmarek (who, to be clear, are not actually teenagers) never miss a beat. Their journeys through sex and all that it means to their lives and psyches feel emotionally authentic. Once again, Love Tasting relies heavily on sex to tell the story, and in these uncomfortable situations, the actors convey everything perfectly. It’s clear that the cast is passionate about their art form and that they are fully dedicated to this production, and it shows. That passion transcends the audience and ensures, on some level, that viewers will be able to appreciate what is seen on screen.
Beyond sex, Nickel ensures that he implements a failsafe that serves as a secondary source of entertainment: the music. Even if the allure of the sexual aspect eludes you, the fast-paced and lively score is sure to resonate. Of course, that discomfort still exists, but the music livens up the proceedings even more and allows the film to appeal to a different subset of viewers. The music accentuates the sex, and a vivid, emotionally captivating work of art comes to life.
“The visuals effectively pull in viewers…”
As brilliant as these aspects are, without the prowess of the cinematography, by Michal Pukowiec, the messages would fail to reach their full potential. Throughout Love Tasting, however, Pukowiec captures the intimacy, the uncomfortability, and the genuine emotion present in every frame. The visuals effectively pull in viewers and allow them to feel for the characters.
A lot is going on throughout Love Tasting, but the reality is that it is a film about a few days in a teenager’s life. The journey is emotionally riveting and provides viewers with a genuine understanding of what each character is feeling. The intimacy and discomfort inherent to the story are intriguing and captivating. As a whole, the film hits the nail on the head in terms of reaching its viewers and conveying its message.
Love Tasting screened at the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival.
"…this topic is uncomfortable for a reason and should remain that way."
