TEETH -- Vagina Dentata a la cannes

More and more, there are films that are rising into a new camp of dark comedy that are reactionary to this country's (le USA) strengthening infusion of warped puritanical sexual justice. TEETH is no exception.

Vagina dentata, need I say more? This film follows a young girl through a coming of age story that involves the fearful discovery of (the teeth in) her vagina. As a member of a troop of fervent virgins who grow itchy at the mention of masturbation, Dawn serves as more than a symbol of a growing number members in this disturbing puritanical faction: she serves as a charicature of a much more readily available and accepted American attitude.

Throughout the film's entire, there are two nuclear towers that overshadow the town, hinting, in no little way, the looming presence of this mutated stance of morals. When one is forced to squelch a basic part of their human nature or, as in our culture, fetishize the very act, something ugly and horrific mutates within. This is, perhaps, why I identify with and have such an affinity for such body horror films. They are a reflection of this mutation that takes place within when a culture presses aspects of our basic human nature into some dark corner. We evolve into these confused beings with all sorts of "philias."

The other side of the coin, is the oversexed human being who, instead of retreating from the fetishization sex, envelopes and supports it (not as a natural act, but as something purposefully subversive). Through this, we meet Brad, Dawn's step-brother, an hypersexed uber kinkified mo' fo'.

I'm going to be honest. There is so much to delve into with this film. Basically, it is what it sets out to be: a biting (yeah, I did it) dark comedy that charicatures sexuality in the US. There are weakspots (the brother/sister relationship needs more development in order to be as impactful as it needs to be in the finale), but Jess Weixler (Dawn) is an engaging new face who holds her own very well through the evolution of this role. If, like me, you are concerned with the state of this country's attitude toward sex or if you just want an excuse to say "Vagina Dentata" at a cocktail party, enjoy.

I'll have more to say on this later. Stay Tuned.

tizzle rizzle