Sexy 8

It is about desire, lust and everyday life, but not about nostalgia – a characteristic that contemporary filmmakers are often casually accused of when they choose to shoot on analogue film. For Daniela Zahlner, however, the focus is on the ever-changing relationship between filmmakers and analogue film equipment, which is at times characterised by desire, seductive power and even fetishisation. Sexy 8 captures the decidedly erotic moment of objectophilia, which does not focus on the act of filming or filmmaking itself, but rather on the irresistible allure that filming and the tactile quality of analogue media trigger in the first place: First, the EUMIG MARK S 802 projector is embraced from behind twice – not roughly, but with a certain intensity – whilst the iconic rattling of the film transport provides the soundtrack. In a bondage-like manner, a Super 8 film strip is then wound around everyday objects – a handrail, a door handle and a rear-view mirror. These are, in principle, unsurprising objects for the Super 8 home-movie format, which is adept at capturing intimate and private moments of everyday life. The touches then become gentler; caressing and probing give way to sensual and intimate touches, until the hand reaches the projector’s most sensitive point: the lens is penetrated in rhythmic circular movements, whilst the rattling in the background remains steady. Once again, the film is wound around hard, metal rods. The touches become firmer, more lustful and more dominant. The projector body is firmly grasped by its handle and spool; one final stroke, and it lies still in the arms. (Stefanie Reisinger)