The debut film by Molly Manning Walker, "How to Have Sex," premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival, delves into the frivolity of youth. Through its narration, the author primarily explores the need for belonging, i.e., fitting into today's kind of society, while also giving great importance to the subtext of youth "party culture."

The film's story unfolds on the Greek island of Crete. Three young British women, Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce), Skye (Lara Peake), and Em (Enva Lewis), after completing their high school exams (they are still awaiting results), arrive on the island in search of drinking, partying, and sex. For Tara, this poses a problem. Unlike her friends, she is still a virgin and feels pressured to change that. After settling into their hotel, they meet two guys and a girl, also Brits, at the pool, who are there for the same reasons.

The film progresses linearly, through simple and recognizable situations. It clearly examines the pressures of society and surroundings - in this case, the pressure is sexual in nature. The main question posed in this film is whether we, as distinct individuals, should conform to the majority, i.e., today's kind of society, at the expense of our genuine desires. In other words, did Tara, the film's protagonist, come on vacation to have fun regardless of whether she will or will not have sex? The author answers these questions through numerous semi-close-ups and close-ups of Tara, revealing her discomfort. And when, after a night swim in the sea, Badger (Shaun Thomas) nearly rapes Tara on the beach - her hesitation is evident in her semi-close-ups - another important question arises: did Tara really want that sex? This further leads us to the conclusion clearly evident in the film - this situation is a consequence of not expressing true desires and intentions, i.e., the insincerity that few are spared in the film.

Another important motif that the author imposes on us is everything that lies behind the reckless youth and teenage "party culture," i.e., going to well-known destinations to indulge in superficial fun. The screenplay is of high quality - the characters are carefully constructed, and the audience easily empathizes with them. At one point, Badger says, "I don't remember anything from last night, and it was probably one of the best ones I've ever had!" This sums up the entire essence - actually, it doesn't matter if they will remember important moments of the summer spent with the rest of the crew at sea; on the contrary, they recklessly and boldly enjoy large quantities of alcohol without caring about the consequences. All that youthful spirit of partying is depicted in scenes of bizarre pool parties and empty streets full of trash. Therefore, the author does not have a final stance towards them - no one there is a bad person, and no one can be said to be a pure villain. He is aware that they are all just participants who have accepted the social context as a given that dictates their behavior.

Although due to the use of bright colors and a fast pace, "How to Have Sex" can visually deceive as if it were a trivial comedy, the way it treats belonging, partying, and above all, sexuality

among young people, makes the film worth watching. Many important questions will be raised after the screening, as suggested by the title itself.