The title of Molly Manning Walker’s feature-length directorial debut seems to promise a self-help guide to navigating the knotty ins and outs of physical desire. And given how it starts, with ready-to-party besties Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce), Skye (Lara Peake), and Em (Enva Lewis) touching down in the coastal town of Malia in Crete, Greece, for their first holiday abroad, one might also anticipate that a redux of Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers is afoot.
Writer-director Manning Walker, though, has cooked up something far less ironic and fragmentary with How to Have Sex, though like Korine’s film, it’s interested in how the prospect of hardcore partying doesn’t transform from fantasy into nightmare in a flash. Rather, it oscillates from one to the other simultaneously, creating a gradual, narcotizing effect that makes sorting out one’s emotions, especially when they’re being newly felt, next to impossible.
Above all,...
Writer-director Manning Walker, though, has cooked up something far less ironic and fragmentary with How to Have Sex, though like Korine’s film, it’s interested in how the prospect of hardcore partying doesn’t transform from fantasy into nightmare in a flash. Rather, it oscillates from one to the other simultaneously, creating a gradual, narcotizing effect that makes sorting out one’s emotions, especially when they’re being newly felt, next to impossible.
Above all,...
- 1/18/2024
- by Clayton Dillard
- Slant Magazine
If you've been anticipating the online arrival of Molly Manning Walker's stark, affecting drama :a[How To Have Sex]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/how-to-have-sex/' }, we bring good news… Mubi has announced that the film will land on its streaming service on 29 December.
Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Tara, who hops on a plane in search of sun, shots and her sexual awakening with friends Skye (Lara Peake) and Em (Enva Lewis). The trio make friends with hotel neighbours Badger (Shaun Thomas), Paddy (Samuel Bottomley) and Paige (Laura Ambler), and embark on an exploration of the Grecian nightlife, partying all night and figuring out their futures, friendships and feelings as they go.
We were very taken with the film — in fact, it made our :a[Best Films Of 2023 list]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-movies-2023/' } — and so we're excited for more people to get the chance to see it.
Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Tara, who hops on a plane in search of sun, shots and her sexual awakening with friends Skye (Lara Peake) and Em (Enva Lewis). The trio make friends with hotel neighbours Badger (Shaun Thomas), Paddy (Samuel Bottomley) and Paige (Laura Ambler), and embark on an exploration of the Grecian nightlife, partying all night and figuring out their futures, friendships and feelings as they go.
We were very taken with the film — in fact, it made our :a[Best Films Of 2023 list]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-movies-2023/' } — and so we're excited for more people to get the chance to see it.
- 12/11/2023
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
"The year's breakout film." Is it really? Mubi has unveiled another official trailer for the British party film titled How to Have Sex, now opening in US theaters in February. Marking the feature directorial debut of cinematographer Molly Manning Walker, this premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival where it won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section. It has made stops at other fests with a European debut on Mubi this fall. Three British teen girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday – drinking, clubbing, hooking up, in what should be the best summer of their lives. But it turns into a cautionary tale about the pressures of sex, consent, and self-discovery. More of a film about how not to have sex, which is the whole point. Breakout star Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Tara, starring with Samuel Bottomly, Lara Peake, Shaun Thomas, and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler. The film...
- 12/6/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
To celebrate the release of How To Have Sex, which opens in UK cinemas next month, we had the pleasure of chatting with the cast and writer/director to find out more.
Three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday, drinking, clubbing, and hooking up in what should be the best summer of their lives. As they dance their way across the sun-drenched streets of Malia, they find themselves navigating the complexities of sex, consent, and self-discovery. Captured with luminous visuals and a pitch-perfect soundtrack, Manning Walker’s directorial debut paints a painfully familiar portrait of young adulthood, and how first sexual experiences should – or shouldn’t – play out. How To Have Sex stars Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2023 Mia McKenna-Bruce and BAFTA-nominated Samuel Bottomley, alongside Lara Peake, Shaun Thomas, and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler.
Chatting with writer/director Walker and her stars, we chat about the success...
Three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday, drinking, clubbing, and hooking up in what should be the best summer of their lives. As they dance their way across the sun-drenched streets of Malia, they find themselves navigating the complexities of sex, consent, and self-discovery. Captured with luminous visuals and a pitch-perfect soundtrack, Manning Walker’s directorial debut paints a painfully familiar portrait of young adulthood, and how first sexual experiences should – or shouldn’t – play out. How To Have Sex stars Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2023 Mia McKenna-Bruce and BAFTA-nominated Samuel Bottomley, alongside Lara Peake, Shaun Thomas, and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler.
Chatting with writer/director Walker and her stars, we chat about the success...
- 10/30/2023
- by Scott Davis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
How to have a memorable spring break? Set out to lose your virginity…cautiously.
Molly Manning Walker’s Cannes breakout film “How to Have Sex” is a twisted coming-of-age story about a group of 16-year-old British girls who go on a vacation to Greece with the mission to help their shyest pal finally go all the way. “Scrapper” cinematographer Walker writes and directs her feature debut, which won the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes this year.
It’s supposed to be the best summer ever. Tara, Skye, and Em touch down on the Greek party resort of Malia for the vacation to end all vacations, the girls trip every British teenager ticks off at the cusp of adulthood. Tara, the last remaining virgin, is on a mission to change that: and her best friends are causing chaos right alongside her. The 16-year-old drinks and dances her way through the...
Molly Manning Walker’s Cannes breakout film “How to Have Sex” is a twisted coming-of-age story about a group of 16-year-old British girls who go on a vacation to Greece with the mission to help their shyest pal finally go all the way. “Scrapper” cinematographer Walker writes and directs her feature debut, which won the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes this year.
It’s supposed to be the best summer ever. Tara, Skye, and Em touch down on the Greek party resort of Malia for the vacation to end all vacations, the girls trip every British teenager ticks off at the cusp of adulthood. Tara, the last remaining virgin, is on a mission to change that: and her best friends are causing chaos right alongside her. The 16-year-old drinks and dances her way through the...
- 10/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
"Best holiday ever!" Mubi has revealed a trailer for the film with a provocative title - How to Have Sex. Marking the feature directorial debut of cinematographer Molly Manning Walker, this premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival where it won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section. Three British teen girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday – drinking, clubbing, hooking up, in what should be the best summer of their lives. But it turns into a cautionary tale about the pressures of sex, consent, and self-discovery. More of a film about how not to have sex, which is the whole point. Breakout star Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Tara, starring with Samuel Bottomly, Lara Peake, Shaun Thomas, and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler. While many critics seem to be a fan, I'm not – I wrote a scathing review in Cannes about how empty it is... It's one big party movie...
- 10/9/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Mubi has released the full-length UK and Irish trailer for Molly Manning Walker’s hugely anticipated, Cannes Award-winning debut, ‘How To Have Sex.’
Three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday, drinking, clubbing and hooking up in what should be the best summer of their lives. As they dance their way across the sun-drenched streets of Malia, they find themselves navigating the complexities of sex, consent and self-discovery. Captured with luminous visuals and a pitch-perfect soundtrack, Manning Walker’s directorial debut paints a painfully familiar portrait of young adulthood, and how first sexual experiences should – or shouldn’t – play out.
The movie is said to be a vibrant and authentic depiction of the agonies, ecstasies and ride-or-die glory of young female friendship, from rising British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker, who wrote and directed the film.
Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2023 Mia McKenna-Bruce (Persuasion, Kindling) and BAFTA-nominated Samuel Bottomley (Somewhere Boy,...
Three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday, drinking, clubbing and hooking up in what should be the best summer of their lives. As they dance their way across the sun-drenched streets of Malia, they find themselves navigating the complexities of sex, consent and self-discovery. Captured with luminous visuals and a pitch-perfect soundtrack, Manning Walker’s directorial debut paints a painfully familiar portrait of young adulthood, and how first sexual experiences should – or shouldn’t – play out.
The movie is said to be a vibrant and authentic depiction of the agonies, ecstasies and ride-or-die glory of young female friendship, from rising British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker, who wrote and directed the film.
Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2023 Mia McKenna-Bruce (Persuasion, Kindling) and BAFTA-nominated Samuel Bottomley (Somewhere Boy,...
- 10/9/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
"Best holiday ever!" Mubi has unveiled a quick teaser trailer for How to Have Sex, the acclaimed British film marking the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Molly Manning Walker. This first premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, winning the Best Film top prize within the Un Certain Regard section; it's also playing at TIFF and London this fall before the release. Molly Manning Walker's "vibrant depiction of the agonies and ecstasies of young adulthood." Three British teens go on a rites-of-passage trip to Greece – drinking, clubbing and hooking up, in what should be the best summer. It turns into a social parable about a young woman dealing with peer pressure, making bad decisions about losing her virginity. Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Tara, with Shaun Thomas, Lara Peake, Enva Lewis, Laura Ambler, & Samuel Bottomley. I wrote a scathing review of this at Cannes, as I think it's just another party movie.
- 9/13/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
We’ve had the pleasure of seeing some incredible feature debuts on the big screen over the past year or so, particularly from female directors – Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun, Celine Song’s Past Lives, Raine Allen-Miller’s Rye Lane, and Charlotte Regan’s Scrapper, to name a few. That trend is set to continue with Molly Manning Walker’s How To Have Sex, a Cannes award-winning drama following three teen girls as they go on their first major holiday abroad to Malia.
Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Tara, who hops on a plane in search of sun, shots and her sexual awakening with friends Skye (Lara Peake) and Em (Enva Lewis). The trio make friends with hotel neighbours Badger (Shaun Thomas), Paddy (Samuel Bottomley) and Paige (Laura Ambler), and embark on an exploration of the Grecian nightlife, partying all night and figuring out their futures, friendships and feelings as they go. Watch...
Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Tara, who hops on a plane in search of sun, shots and her sexual awakening with friends Skye (Lara Peake) and Em (Enva Lewis). The trio make friends with hotel neighbours Badger (Shaun Thomas), Paddy (Samuel Bottomley) and Paige (Laura Ambler), and embark on an exploration of the Grecian nightlife, partying all night and figuring out their futures, friendships and feelings as they go. Watch...
- 9/13/2023
- by Sophie Butcher
- Empire - Movies
It could have been just another teen coming of age tale but debut British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker manages to give a fresh spin on territory that has been frequently explored.
She manages to evoke the true bonds of friendship between her female protagonists who arrive on a Greek island after just having graduated from school and before they embark on University career.
Their main aim is to have fun and sex - and Mia McKenna Bruce, Lara Peake and Enya Lewis give the trio a real sense of complicity and chemistry as they splash on the shore, lie on the beach and eye up the talent.
The film captures the hedonistic atmosphere of young people bent on partying all day and night. They hook up with Shaun Thomas, Sam Bottomley and Laura Ambler who are older and more experienced.
As the relationships intertwine Manning Walker introduces the undercurrents that cut through what seemed.
She manages to evoke the true bonds of friendship between her female protagonists who arrive on a Greek island after just having graduated from school and before they embark on University career.
Their main aim is to have fun and sex - and Mia McKenna Bruce, Lara Peake and Enya Lewis give the trio a real sense of complicity and chemistry as they splash on the shore, lie on the beach and eye up the talent.
The film captures the hedonistic atmosphere of young people bent on partying all day and night. They hook up with Shaun Thomas, Sam Bottomley and Laura Ambler who are older and more experienced.
As the relationships intertwine Manning Walker introduces the undercurrents that cut through what seemed.
- 5/19/2023
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Tara and her friends decamp to a garish holiday resort on the lookout for her first sexual experience in Molly Manning Walker’s strong debut feature
Full-on energy, likable performances and uncompromisingly daft jokes turbocharge this debut feature from British film-maker Molly Manning Walker, about three teenage girls up for the holiday of a lifetime in the party town of Malia in Crete, and trying not to think about the exam results which their parents could tactlessly text them at any moment.
The film delivers an intriguingly sympathetic, complex and even mysterious performance from Mia McKenna-Bruce as the shyest of the trio: Tara, whose face in closeup registers subtly shifting moods. For her, the quest for sex means more than for the others. She has still not had experience. Manning Walker herself coolly manages the film’s own mood, drifting towards crisis and retreating from it.
Tara, or Taz, and...
Full-on energy, likable performances and uncompromisingly daft jokes turbocharge this debut feature from British film-maker Molly Manning Walker, about three teenage girls up for the holiday of a lifetime in the party town of Malia in Crete, and trying not to think about the exam results which their parents could tactlessly text them at any moment.
The film delivers an intriguingly sympathetic, complex and even mysterious performance from Mia McKenna-Bruce as the shyest of the trio: Tara, whose face in closeup registers subtly shifting moods. For her, the quest for sex means more than for the others. She has still not had experience. Manning Walker herself coolly manages the film’s own mood, drifting towards crisis and retreating from it.
Tara, or Taz, and...
- 5/19/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Mubi has acquired all rights for Molly Manning Walker’s directorial debut “How to Have Sex” for major territories.
The deal covers North America, U.K., Ireland, Italy, Latin America, Turkey and Benelux ahead of the movie’s world premiere at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section.
Theatrical releases are planned for key territories, including the U.S. and U.K. In Benelux, the film will be released theatrically in partnership with Imagine Film Distribution. Following theatrical releases, the film will premier exclusively on Mubi in all territories acquired.
Written and directed by Manning Walker, “How to Have Sex” stars Mia McKenna-Bruce (“Persuasion”) alongside Lara Peake (“Mood”), Shaun Thomas (“Ali & Ava”), Samuel Bottomley (“Somewhere Boy”), and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler. The film was shot by Nicolas Canniccioni.
In the film, three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday – drinking, clubbing and hooking up, in what should...
The deal covers North America, U.K., Ireland, Italy, Latin America, Turkey and Benelux ahead of the movie’s world premiere at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section.
Theatrical releases are planned for key territories, including the U.S. and U.K. In Benelux, the film will be released theatrically in partnership with Imagine Film Distribution. Following theatrical releases, the film will premier exclusively on Mubi in all territories acquired.
Written and directed by Manning Walker, “How to Have Sex” stars Mia McKenna-Bruce (“Persuasion”) alongside Lara Peake (“Mood”), Shaun Thomas (“Ali & Ava”), Samuel Bottomley (“Somewhere Boy”), and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler. The film was shot by Nicolas Canniccioni.
In the film, three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday – drinking, clubbing and hooking up, in what should...
- 4/27/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Mubi has acquired British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker’s debut feature How to Have Sex, which is set to debut in Un Certain Regard at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival.
The streamer has taken all rights for North America, the UK, Ireland, Italy, Latin America, Turkey, and Benelux. Announcing the deal, Mubi said theatrical releases are planned for “key territories,” including the US and UK, while a theatrical release in the Benelux will be hosted in partnership with Imagine Film Distribution. Following theatrical releases, the film will debut on Mubi in all territories acquired.
Written and directed by Walker, the pic stars Mia McKenna-Bruce alongside Lara Peake, Shaun Thomas, Samuel Bottomley, and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler. The film was shot by Nicolas Canniccioni.
Billed as an “exuberant, nuanced and painfully honest” tale...
The streamer has taken all rights for North America, the UK, Ireland, Italy, Latin America, Turkey, and Benelux. Announcing the deal, Mubi said theatrical releases are planned for “key territories,” including the US and UK, while a theatrical release in the Benelux will be hosted in partnership with Imagine Film Distribution. Following theatrical releases, the film will debut on Mubi in all territories acquired.
Written and directed by Walker, the pic stars Mia McKenna-Bruce alongside Lara Peake, Shaun Thomas, Samuel Bottomley, and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler. The film was shot by Nicolas Canniccioni.
Billed as an “exuberant, nuanced and painfully honest” tale...
- 4/27/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Film is the debut from Screen Star of Tomorrow Molly Manning Walker, sold by mk2 Films.
Global film distributor Mubi has acquired all rights for UK filmmaker Molly Manning Walker’s How To Have Sex for North America, UK, Ireland, Italy, Latin America, Turkey, and Benelux ahead of its world premiere next month in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section.
Mubi picked up the title from France’s mk2 Films.
Theatrical releases are planned for key territories, including the US and UK. In Benelux the film will be released theatrically in partnership with Imagine Film Distribution. Following theatrical releases, the film...
Global film distributor Mubi has acquired all rights for UK filmmaker Molly Manning Walker’s How To Have Sex for North America, UK, Ireland, Italy, Latin America, Turkey, and Benelux ahead of its world premiere next month in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section.
Mubi picked up the title from France’s mk2 Films.
Theatrical releases are planned for key territories, including the US and UK. In Benelux the film will be released theatrically in partnership with Imagine Film Distribution. Following theatrical releases, the film...
- 4/27/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
How to Have Sex
Winner of the 2021 Next Step Critics’ Week prize, Molly Manning Walker moved into a November shoot late last year for the shot in Greece How to Have Sex – which was project supported by Film4, BFI and MK2. A cinematographer for the past decade (recent works include the Sundance 2023 feature Scrapper and a Radiohead video), the British filmmaker enlisted Mia McKenna-Bruce, Lara Peake, Shaun Thomas, Sam Bottomley and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler for the project. Her first short Good Thanks, You? premiered in the Critics’ Week section.
Gist: This follows a group of teenage girls as they navigate early sexual encounters on a rite of passage clubbing holiday.…...
Winner of the 2021 Next Step Critics’ Week prize, Molly Manning Walker moved into a November shoot late last year for the shot in Greece How to Have Sex – which was project supported by Film4, BFI and MK2. A cinematographer for the past decade (recent works include the Sundance 2023 feature Scrapper and a Radiohead video), the British filmmaker enlisted Mia McKenna-Bruce, Lara Peake, Shaun Thomas, Sam Bottomley and newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler for the project. Her first short Good Thanks, You? premiered in the Critics’ Week section.
Gist: This follows a group of teenage girls as they navigate early sexual encounters on a rite of passage clubbing holiday.…...
- 1/9/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Exclusive: The Worst Person In The World and Portrait Of A Lady On Fire outfit MK2 has joined UK feature How To Have Sex, which is currently shooting in Greece.
Directed by emerging UK filmmaker Molly Manning Walker (pictured above right), How to Have Sex follows a group of teenage girls as they navigate early sexual encounters on a rite of passage clubbing holiday.
Cast includes Persuasion and Vampire Academy actress Mia McKenna-Bruce (pictured above left) and Lara Peake (Mood) alongside Shaun Thomas (Ali and Ava) and Sam Bottomley (Somewhere Boy), with newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler.
Film4 and the BFI developed the project and are financing the production, alongside Paris-based MK2 Films, which is handling international sales and will be teasing the project to buyers in coming months. Film4 retains TV and on-demand rights in the UK/Ireland.
Wild Swim Films’ Ivana MacKinnon and Emily Leo are producing alongside Heretic’s Konstantinos Kontrovrakis.
Directed by emerging UK filmmaker Molly Manning Walker (pictured above right), How to Have Sex follows a group of teenage girls as they navigate early sexual encounters on a rite of passage clubbing holiday.
Cast includes Persuasion and Vampire Academy actress Mia McKenna-Bruce (pictured above left) and Lara Peake (Mood) alongside Shaun Thomas (Ali and Ava) and Sam Bottomley (Somewhere Boy), with newcomers Enva Lewis and Laura Ambler.
Film4 and the BFI developed the project and are financing the production, alongside Paris-based MK2 Films, which is handling international sales and will be teasing the project to buyers in coming months. Film4 retains TV and on-demand rights in the UK/Ireland.
Wild Swim Films’ Ivana MacKinnon and Emily Leo are producing alongside Heretic’s Konstantinos Kontrovrakis.
- 10/21/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
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