Mau Mau Sex Sex (2001)
*** (out of 4)
Nice documentary taking a look at exploitation films but more closely the careers of David F. Friedman and Dan Sonney, two of the most important names in the genre. We get interviews with the two together, separately and then with family members as they discuss their thoughts on these movies as well as going through some of their favorites. MAU MAU SEX SEX isn't the greatest documentary you're going to see but I think it gets the job done in regards to explaining what the times were like when this type of stuff could get shown in public. We start from the early days with films like MANIAC and go up to nudie stuff like MAU MAU, exploitation films like SHE FREAK and of course the gore period, which kicked off with BLOOD FEAST. While this isn't going to teach you everything about the genre (there were films before MANIAC) I think it's still great fun getting to see these two cult legends discuss their careers as well as have fun with one another. I really thought the stuff with the two men sitting together just talking are among the best moments of the film because they just seem to have so many great stories to tell. They talk about how they got involved in the business, name some of the films they lost money on and tell stories about how some of their films got into some trouble with the press. In a hilarious moment they talk about the type of people who would get caught playing with themselves inside the theater. Towards the end of the film Something Weird's Mike Vraney shows the men his "collection" of film prints, which in itself could make for an interesting documentary. Fans of exploitation should stay entertained throughout as they're treated to countless film clips as well as some great stories.
