In a wooded glade somewhere near San Francisco, The Workshop challenges the rules of modern society by pushing all boundaries of normal convention - especially the sexual ones! A group of people agree to take part in a 10-day ‘workshop’ led by spiritual leader Paul Lowe in their search for a higher personal truth. On day one they are told to introduce themselves and meet everyone else - completely naked! Searing emotional honesty, full nudity, experiments and sexuality and the exorcising of inner demons are the hallmarks of this groundbreaking and provocative documentary.

Educational without Public Performance Rights: $129.00
 
 

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Reviews

Feeling restless and unsatisfied, British photographer Jamie Morgan journeys to the San Francisco Bay Area to attend 72-year-old Paul Lowe’s “radical self-help workshop,” a 10-day sex-oriented retreat. Morgan interviews other attendees and openly films group therapy sessions and even an orgy, which begs the obvious question of whether the participants are simply indifferent, narcissistic, or genuinely hopeful that viewers will learn something from their journey of self-discovery (interestingly, several are British citizens or expatriates, like Morgan and Lowe). Not only do the interviewees confess their innermost thoughts on camera, they’re also naked much of the time, which is part of Lowe’s process, since it renders everyone equal—at least in the strictly materialistic sense. In short order, the bashful become downright exhibitionistic, rendering the documentary quasi-pornographic (including the aforementioned orgy scenes), although nudity isn’t always a prelude to sexual activity. Lowe also believes that “monogamy is not natural,” and a few of the married (or otherwise attached) participants put that assertion to the test here, including the guru’s son-in-law. Narcissistic or not, the breakthroughs experienced by some of the participants seem real enough, although Morgan neglects to disclose how much individuals paid for the privilege. Recommended for academic human sexuality studies, this is also a strong optional purchase for more adventurous public library collections. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
-Video Librarian Review September/October 2009

“One of the most talked about films at the [2007] Tribeca Film Festival
…an extraordinarily frank and thought-provoking sexual odyssey which,
with the right exposure and a healthy pinch of salt, could be a zeitgeist,
talking-point film along the lines of What the Bleep Do We Know or Shortbus.”
-Mike Goodridge, Screen International

“The breakdown of convention is a wild ride, as Morgan chronicles love
triangles, couples struggling with monogamy and a gay man having sex with
a woman for the first time-all on camera. Jealousy, both emotional and physical,
erupts within the flock. It’s an amusing and emotional adventure in sex, love,
betrayal, fear and joy until the workshop ends.”
- Aaron Krach, Tribeca Film