Totally F***ed Up (1993), directed by Gregg Araki, focuses on a group of queer friends. Andy (James Duval), a bisexual, filmmaker Steven (Gilbert Luna) and his boyfriend Deric (Lance May), Tommy (Roko Belic) who has an endless string of one night stands, and lesbian couple Michele (Susan Behshid) and Patricia (Jenee Gill). Totally F***ed Up employs the use of a home video footage to record interviews with the main characters. This gives the film an an initially fragmented feel as we are shown snippets of each character, without ever getting in-depth monologues or lengthy exposition.
Despite the fragmented nature of the film's beginnings, the filming technique serves to generate a sense of intimacy which makes the one-sided dialogue between the protagonists and the viewer appear conversational. The viewer is placed behind the camera in a fourth-wall-breaking strategy which is at once unreal and metatextual, positioning the viewer as filmmaker and part of the film's narrative.
Despite the fragmented nature of the film's beginnings, the filming technique serves to generate a sense of intimacy which makes the one-sided dialogue between the protagonists and the viewer appear conversational. The viewer is placed behind the camera in a fourth-wall-breaking strategy which is at once unreal and metatextual, positioning the viewer as filmmaker and part of the film's narrative.