LUST LIFE LOVE

Where is the line between emotional attachment and sexual freedom? Lust Life Love is a narrative film about alternative sex and polyamorous love, with an unconventional female protagonist and an incredibly diverse cast. In the midst of the #metoo / #timesup movement, it’s time for filmgoers to see a sexually empowered female lead in an unapologetic story told through a female lens. The story started more than a decade ago as an autobiographical sex and relationship column Stephanie Sellars wrote for New York Press’s alt-weekly newspaper. The column and this film explore topics that were then and are still considered taboo, including polyamory, multiple partners, sex parties, BDSM, gender, and sex as self-expression. Lust Life Love is not only a sex-positive film based on the writer’s personal experiences – it’s a nuanced exploration of contemporary relationships. The story navigates the world of nonmonogamy through three main characters: Veronica, the Anaïs Nin of her circle, immersed in open love but controlling with her partners. Daniel, a newcomer who goes from being cautious and sensitive to behaving with excitement, bordering on greed. And Maya, yoga entrepreneur by day, hedonist by night, who lives for pleasure and pushes boundaries. By placing these complex characters in a stylish, seductive world of hedonistic parties and negotiated intimacy, Lust Life Love not only shows people what it is like to be poly – for an hour and a half, the viewer is invited to inhabit the perspective of Veronica Willow, a woman who romanticizes her unconventional lifestyle. From script to screen, our vision was to craft a narrative of real moments through the talent and diversity of our cast, the raw energy of actual sex party locations, and background performers from the sex-positive community. Throughout the process, Stephanie often revisited her experience to ensure that every moment was rooted in truth. In Stephanie’s words, “It was my goal to make a movie that authentically presents polyamory and the highs and lows of a sexually adventurous lifestyle, not only because I find this subject fascinating, but because I have never seen it portrayed in narrative film in a way that’s specific, accurate, and honest.” Although most people are unfamiliar with consensual non-monogamy, everyone has experienced lust, love, and boundary issues in relationships. Lust Life Love will affirm, inspire, awaken, provoke, destabilize, resonate, infuriate, illuminate. Somewhere along the line between emotional attachment and sexual freedom is our audience.