The Sex Temple

This quirky Swedish documentary is the story of two men whose paths collide at a moment of need. Robin has purchased a beautiful historic theater that he and his partner struggle to restore and keep afloat. Christian is the owner of a swingers' club that has just burned down. When Robin agrees to let Christian move his club into the theater's basement, the townsfolk are outraged. Robin mounts a sexually fluid, Moulin Rouge-style cabaret show upstairs, while the swinger's club brings in a surprisingly young, attractive heterosexual crowd below. The overall theme here is one of transformation: of the theater, of the performers, and of social mores. Will Christian and Robin win the culture war against the benighted Norrköping locals? No spoilers. It's a pleasure to explore the history of the Arbis Theater and watch the cabaret show come together. While most of the scenes are obviously staged, or re-created, the principals are charming and genuine. The production values are high and surprisingly filmic.