Skip to main content
Paying For It film image; two people lying in bed next to each other

Talk about a hall of mirrors! Sook-Yin Lee adapts a graphic novel by her ex-boyfriend, Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown, about the end of their relationship in the early naughts and Brown’s subsequent decision to start paying for sex. Dan Beirne (The Twentieth Century) plays Brown, and he’s joined by a cast that includes Emily Lê (Riceboy Sleeps) as Sook-yin stand-in Sonny and Andrea Werhun (Modern Whore) as Yulissa, the sex worker who forms a long-term relationship with Brown.

The tone here is affectionately comedic, matter of fact, and sex positive, not salacious or leering. If you’re at all familiar with her work, you will know that Sook-Yin Lee is unafraid to venture into uncomfortable areas, but what comes through most strongly is her respect for the women involved, and the deep bond she still shares with Chester Brown. Beirne plays him as a calm, curious adventurer who diligently researches escort etiquette and whose forthright transactional approach may have you reconsidering social orthodoxy. Lê’s Sook-Yin substitute is likewise a charming presence, leading with her heart and making plenty of missteps as she navigates the uncertain territory of sex in the contemporary world.

 

Feb 15 & 16: Q&A with director Sook-Yin Lee

 

Displays a maturity and thoughtfulness all too rare when focusing on a subject like this.

Zachary Lee, rogerebert.com

A provocative romance in the style of Pedro Almodóvar (check out those bold primary colours) crossed with a documentary about alternative life paths. See where it goes.

Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Director

Sook-Yin Lee

Cast

Daniel Beirne, Emily Lê, Andrea Werhun, Noah Lamanna

Credits
Country of Origin

Canada

Year

2024

Language

English

19+
85 min

Book Tickets

Saturday February 15

8:50 pm
Closed Captioning Guests/Q&As Hearing Assistance
VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema
Book Now

Sunday February 16

7:45 pm
Closed Captioning Guests/Q&As Hearing Assistance
VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema
Book Now

Monday February 17

9:00 pm
Closed Captioning Hearing Assistance
VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema
Book Now

Thursday February 20

6:30 pm
Closed Captioning Hearing Assistance
VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre
Book Now

Credits

Executive Producer

Dan Beirne, John Cameron Mitchell

Producer

Matt Code, Sonya Di Rienzo, Aeschylus Poulos

Screenwriter

Sook-Yin Lee, Joanne Sarazen

Cinematography

Gayle Ye

Editor

Anna Catley

Production Design

Olivia D’Oliveira

Original Music

Dylan Gamble, Sook-Yin Lee

Also Playing

Stand Up Story

Dir. Cheuk Man Au
104 min

A young man whose father has an intellectual disability hits upon a new career -- stand up comedy -- in this gentle Hong Kong comedy drama.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Luther: Never Too Much

Dir. Dawn Porter
101 min

There is a lot more to soul superstar Luther Vandross than his honeyed hits. This definitive doc sheds light on his work with artists including David Bowie, Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin, his struggles with his image and sexuality, and remarkable gifts.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Granny Must Die

Dir. Yi-Jung Chen
87 min

An absurd comedy about the daily life of a three-generational Hakka household in Taipei. Huichiao, her grandmother Chunmei, Chunmei's son Fusang, and daughter-in-law Lichun live together in a three-generational household in Taipei. Tensions arise! Rated: PG

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul

Dir. Graeme Mathieson
84 min

Legendary Toronto soul, funk, and ska singer Jay Douglas leads us through an energizing history of Canadian Caribbean music. Join us Friday night and meet Jay in person, along with producer Andrew Munger!

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre