David Wnendt’s follow up to Combat Girls, the German language Wetlands opens today in NY and LA; and like his previous film it’s not for the squeamish or easily offended. That said, Wetlands delivers one of the most empowering films for women this year as far as I am concerned.
Wetlands is the story of Helen, an awkward young woman obsessed with bodily fluids, poor hygiene and exploring her sexuality. Hilariously enough her hobby of exposing herself to the vilest and dirtiest toilets imaginable isn’t what finally lands her in the hospital; it’s a simple shaving accident. Once in the hospital, Helen begins to play on the sympathy of others to extend her hospital stay just long enough to seduce a male nurse and to attempt to get her estranged parents to reconcile after years of divorce.
Wetlands is a whipsmart feminist knock out punch to gross out boner comedies that offers no apologies to its predecessors. Helen wields her sexuality with a confidence and ease that is refreshing on screen as it may be shocking to some. The film also manages to not paint Helen as the whore or the monster, but objectively as a human being with a very different outlook on her sexual identity and how she chooses to explore it.
While superficially to some the film may only be about the gross outs, there is a lot more going on here in Wetlands, which almost begs the film to be seen twice. One sitting that may be more reactionary and another to better appreciate the intricately weaved narrative that lurks just beneath the surface of the film. David Wnendt masterfully turns in a compelling look at a very fractured human being that’s nothing short of a joy to watch as Helen unravels on screen.
The star of the film Carla Juri shows a fearlessness that culminates in a performance that literally left me speechless in the final moments of the film. That coupled with the excellent script never paints Helen as a victim are what elevate the material (which, in different hands, could have turned out disastrously).
Wetlands is gross, complicated and dysfunctional and honestly I wouldn’t want it any other way. The film, much like its protagonist, isn’t an easy film to love, but those who look beyond the shock will find it has a heart that beats to a much different drummer. The film, which is equal parts transgressive and empowering, easily earned a spot on my top ten for the year. If anything I’ve discussed piqued your fancy, definitely check Wetlands out.
