SXSW Review: ‘Roleplay’

By Abe Friedtanzer

The notion of consent is something that should have always defined all relationships, yet it’s only come to prominence as an expected condition of any romantic or sexual interaction in recent years. Revisiting traumatic interactions can be very triggering, but doing so in a safe and supportive space can prove therapeutic. The documentary Roleplay looks at the fascinating process being implemented to open eyes to the reality of sexual assault on campus through an experimental theater program...

Set at Tulane University, this project stems from disturbingly high reports of sexual assault and incorporates actors who in many cases have lived through experiences that they can then help bring to life. Scenes are designed to portray events and interactions where intent and guilt aren’t necessarily clear, but where it might be possible to recognize warning signs indicative of the potential for trouble.

This is a riveting concept, one that probably should be avoided by those who don’t feel that this is a healthy manner for them to engage with harmful memories that upset them. But it’s reassuring to know that the people involved have opted in and chosen this as the way to express themselves and work through behavior that is all too common on their campus and could easily have affected them.

There’s a lot to consider here about the idea of spreading and implementing this project on campuses across the country, since there’s always the risk of people crossing boundaries in the staged representation of a situation where boundaries were crossed. The bigger obstacle is that someone who doesn’t think that they exhibit toxic or problematic behavior is unlikely to be inclined to engage with a program or a film like this.

Kate Lyn Matthews’ feature debut gets intimate in a way that feels very constructive and has the potential to do good. Its rawness is extremely effective, particularly in how often acting feels like it might actually be truer to life than intended. Dissecting those blurred lines is a worthwhile endeavor, and while this film doesn’t always dive deep on motivations for each individual performance, there’s a great deal to unpack and sit with here. B+

Roleplay is screening in the Documentary Feature Competition at the 2024 SXSW Film and TV Festival.