9 Songs



9 Songs is a 2004 British Romance/Drama film directed by Michael Winterbottom.

Over a period of 12 months, british Antarctic researcher Matt (Kieran O'Brien) has an affair with American foreign exchange student Lisa (Margo Stilley; no last names are given for either character) in London, England. During these 12 months, they attend 9 rock concerts (which owe the film its title). In between these rock concerts, they have sex.

A LOT of sex.

Alas, the sex eventually becomes bland and unsatisfying, and at the end of the 12 months Lisa abruptly ends the romance by going back to America; leaving Matt, now in Antarctica, to tell the film in Flash Back.

A huge deal was made over the depiction of said sex, especially given that it was entirely unsimulated. Contrary to the depiction in most films of this calibre; it is shown full-on, 1 rung down the ladder from genuine hardcore pornography. There are full-on, up-close, uncensored shots of both male and female frontal nudity, masturbation, fellatio, cunnilingus, ejaculation, penetration and vibrator-use. Said depiction almost got the film Banned In Australia; and surely you don't need to be informed what the Moral Guardians' reaction was.

The message of the film, as far as it can be discerned, is that a purely physical relationship can only provide so much fulfillment; that eventually, without a lasting emotional relationship to compliment it, it will wither and die.

Critical reception to the film was mixed. It honestly isn't a particular great film; not nescessarily bad, and certainly bold, but not really good either.


 * The Cameo: Those eight bands in question (two Black Rebel Motorcycle Club concerts are attended at the beginning and end of the relationship as bookends), including Franz Ferdinand and Primal Scream, perform one full song in the film.
 * Did Not Get the Girl
 * Euroshlock: Probably the mildest Euroshlock film, given that it only features plain, old, consensual hardcore intercourse and no blood, rape, murder, pedophilia, BDSM, shit-eating, pig-fucking, blood-cumming or anything else quirky or gross like that; but still... Also unusual in that it is British (which seldom produces such films) and not French.
 * Male Frontal Nudity: Plenty of it. Including ejaculation.