Photo courtesy of citizenjanefilmfestival.org

Review by Jaclyn DiPasquale

What could a former porn star, a 12-year-old and an assistant to a kindergarten class have in common? At first glance, it appears there is nothing. However, in their documentary Sexy Baby, directors Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus prove there is one very large issue that binds this trio together — sex.

Sex is everywhere. It’s in our music. It’s on TV. It’s on the billboards we pass as we drive down the highway.  It’s become how we measure our self worth and value. Sexy Baby shows just how much of a toll this seemingly harmless sexualization can have on a woman.

Winnie is on the brink of becoming a teenager. She’s intelligent, creative and passionate. Unlike many of her peers who have fallen into the trap of society’s sexual pressures, she chooses to devote her time to becoming a decorated gymnast and actress. Yet, even Winnie cannot avoid the temptations that arise on her favorite social networking site and in her beloved Lady Gaga music videos.

While Winnie tries to resist posting sexy self-portraits on her Facebook page, 22-year-old Laura struggles with a different Internet demon — porn. It’s not that Laura has an addiction to porn, but it has created an obsession. She has become obsessed with having the perfect, porn star vagina. In fact, Laura is not alone. New statistics from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery reveal a 100.7% increase in the number of vaginal rejuvenation procedures performed on American women from 2008 to 2009. In the documentary, Laura joins this statistic and receives the controversial cosmetic procedure. Not only does the audience find out she gets it, they actually see part of the procedure performed. It gives a new meaning to the phrase “every little hairy detail.” A warning would have been nice, but perhaps these raw, graphic images are what make this film so effective. It certainly caught my attention.

While Laura was getting surgery on her special area, another woman was using hers for a career. The last member of the trio is former adult film star, 32-year-old Nakita Kash.  Nikita once had dreams of becoming a professional dancer, and in some ways this dream came true. She began stripping in high school, which eventually led her to the adult film industry. Now Nikita is trying to separate herself from films by teaching housewives and college women how to pole dance like a professional.

Yes, society’s emphasis on sex has become undeniable, and Sexy Baby makes sure its audience is aware of it. It leaves audiences with a shocking reality of just how dangerous these sexual illusions can become.

Vox rating: VVVV

THE RATING SYSTEM

VVVVV = AWESOME! SEE IT TWICE
VVVV = DEFINITELY GO SEE IT
VVV = HMM… IT’S OKAY
VV = EH… DVD MAYBE?
V = DON’T BOTHER