Gero writes, produces, directs indie

Since production on both Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis wrapped earlier this fall Martin Gero has not taken a break from work. In fact, he’s reaching for higher heights. He has partnered with his friend Aaron Abrams (“Kanayo“) to write an independent comedy. Warninig: explicit content.

The picture, titled “Young People F*!@ing,” is currently filming in Toronto. Martin will also produce and direct the film. Think Film Company is the distributor. Gero contacted GateWorld to inform us of the big news, and to tell us about the premise. “It’s about five couples in various types of relationships and examines in a frank, honest and funny way the type of sex they have. And what sex means in those relationships.”

But what kind of indicator is the title? “It’s not a movie for kids,” he admits. Nevertheless, he believes the premise is saddled toward a niche begging to be explored. “My writing partner [and I], we’re kind of upset that our generation hasn’t had a ‘Carnal Knowledge’ or ‘Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,’ a comedy that’s about sex that deals with it realistically. Not like, say, ‘American Pie’ (which I like a lot) where’s it’s kind of sophomoric and goofy.”

The film will be visually explicit at some points, but it is not going to be a “porn” movie. Any nudity shown will be done in good taste. “It’s going to be rated R, so will be no more explicit than any other R-rated comedy you’ve seen in the past little while. The movie is trying to deal with sex honestly, so there’s some sex and nudity in the movie, for sure. But it’s not done just for the sake of showing a little boob here and a little a** there.”

Gero also explained that there will be no frontal male nudity. “Sorry, ladies.”

The film will lean towards a small scale, featuring “an ensemble cast of 11.” Abrams will be one of the male love interests. “I’m not in it,” Martin admits. “No one needs to see me having sex.” In regards to a cameo by the writer, he says this is unlikely. “The movie takes place in bedrooms and houses. We have no extras, so it’d be kind weird of me to be in a scene suddenly. So no, doesn’t look promising.”

Some fans who have already learned of the piece have recognized how very different it is from Gero’s previous work, but Martin isn’t shy about it. “It’s kind of fun to be able to do something completely different.”

Aaron Abrams

Martin confessed he didn’t imagine the title he suggested would make it into the final draft, but the distributor was fine with the name, as they have previously released similarly named titles. Gero insists to GateWorld that readers should not judge the film by its abrupt heading, though.

“For some reason we’re all very uptight about sex,” he tells us. “It’s not my place to say why. But there hasn’t been a person that has read the script, from young to old, that hasn’t privately told me that they’re exactly like one of the couples in the film. Sex is something so universal, and yet we hardly talk about it.

“We’re not trying to offend anyone,” he continues. “Quite the opposite. At the end of the day it’s a comedy, and it’s a really funny one, I think. So if you can get over the fact that it’s going [to be] a frank and honest look at sex then I think it’s going to be impossible for you not to have fun.”

Okay, so the movie is about young people and their private experiences. But what is the underlying message? “The message isn’t as important [as] you laughing and having fun while you watch it,” Gero tells us. “But the trick is, the movie isn’t really just about sex. It’s about love. Our generation has made a real effort to somehow separate sex and love and I think this movie is basically saying that, really, that’s impossible.”

“But again,” he adds, “at the end of the day it’s a comedy. The message isn’t as important as you laughing and having fun while you watch it. It’s about laughing.”

“Young People F*!@ing” will feature Callum Blue (“Dead Like Me”, “Princess Diaries 2”), Diora Baird (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning”, “Wedding Crashers”) and Carly Pope (“The Collector”, “Popular”). A recent press release describes the picture as “a scathingly honest and hilarious portrayal of four couples, one threesome and a crazy night of sex.” Gero tells us the movie will be set in one evening, and will play out “practically in real-time.”

No release date for the film has been set, but Martin anticipates the movie will be ready by approximately this time next year.