Sell/Buy/Date Explained

Sell/Buy/Date
Director:Sarah Jones
Screenplay:Sarah Jones
Music:Jeff Beal
Cinematography:Joshua Z. Weinstein
Editing:Melissa McCoy
Distributor:Cinedigm
Runtime:97 minutes[1]
Country:United States
Language:English

Sell/Buy/Date is a 2022 American documentary-comedy-drama film directed, written, and produced by Sarah Jones, from a story by Jones and David Goldblum, based upon her off-Broadway play of the same name. Meryl Streep serves as an executive producer.

It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11, 2022. It was released on October 14, 2022, by Cinedigm.

Plot

The film follows Sarah Jones as she travels across the United States, navigating the sex industry's relationship with race, power, and economics. Jones additionally portrays four different characters, with Rosario Dawson, Bryan Cranston, Ilana Glazer, Evan Seinfeld, Lotus Lain, Terria Xo, Leslie Farrington, Alice Little, among others appearing in the film.[2]

Production

In January 2021, it was announced Sarah Jones would direct, write, and produce, a documentary revolving around the sex industry, based on her Off-Broadway play of the same name, with Meryl Streep, Laverne Cox and Rashida Jones serving as executive producers.[3] The announcement of the project drew significant backlash, from sex workers and rights activists.[4] [5] Cox and Jones later exited the project.[6] [7] Following the backlash, Jones throughout the film made sure to include sex workers of various backgrounds.[8]

Release

The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11, 2022.[9] In July 2022, Cinedigm acquired distribution rights to the film.[10] It was released on October 14, 2022.[11]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 71% based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sell/Buy/Date. South by Southwest. September 24, 2022.
  2. Web site: Sarah Jones Makes Directorial Debut With Meryl Streep-Produced Film. Women's Wear Daily. Leigh. Nordstrom. March 15, 2022. September 24, 2022.
  3. Web site: Tony Winner Sarah Jones Sets Sex Industry Docu 'Sell/Buy/Date'; Rashida Jones, Meryl Streep And Laverne Cox To Executive Produce. Deadline Hollywood. Dino. Day-Ramos. January 5, 2021. September 24, 2022.
  4. Laverne Cox Drops Out of Sex Work Film Following Outrage. Rolling Stone. EJ. Dickson. January 7, 2021. September 24, 2022.
  5. Web site: Sex worker documentary produced by Meryl Streep and Rashida Jones receives backlash. Entertainment.ie. Deidre. Molumby. January 8, 2021. September 24, 2022.
  6. Web site: 'Sell/Buy/Date': Laverne Cox Exits Sarah Jones' Sex Worker Doc Following "Outrage". Deadline Hollywood. Alexandra. Del Rosario. January 7, 2021. September 24, 2022.
  7. Web site: Sell/Buy/Date. Secret Sauce Media. September 24, 2022.
  8. Web site: The Many Voices of Sarah Jones. Shondaland. Vivian. Manning-Schaffel. March 11, 2022. September 24, 2022.
  9. Web site: SXSW's Lineup For Return To In-Person Festival Includes Movies With Sandra Bullock, Nicolas Cage, Pete Davidson, Rose Byrne & More. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. February 2, 2022. September 24, 2022.
  10. Web site: 'Sell/Buy/Date,' From Executive Producer Meryl Streep, Sells to Cinedigm Following SXSW Debut (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Rebecca. Rubin. July 26, 2022. September 24, 2022.
  11. Web site: Watch the Trailer For Sarah Jones' SELL/BUY/DATE Film Adaption. Broadway World. Michael. Major. September 21, 2022. September 24, 2022.
  12. Web site: Sell/Buy/Date. Rotten Tomatoes. June 25, 2023.