College professor Natasha Grover is overjoyed when her first novel is acquired by an independent studio for a TV series. The Colony revolves around a group of women residing on an island where men are strictly prohibited. Hewett, a shipwrecked sailor who washes ashore, is rescued by Noab, the heir to the female-warrior throne. They engage in a passionate affair, leading to her pregnancy. However, after the sailor betrays Noab, she is rescued by a fearsome sea monster known as the Mother Beast. Noab gives birth to a son, and she is faced with a life-altering decision.
While The Colony is a work of fiction, its portrayal of men is shaped by Tash’s personal experiences. Her first steady boyfriend Leo, a writer and podcaster, cheated on her, and her fiancé, Zachary, a pediatrician, broke up with her just days before their wedding. Moreover, she endured a physical assault during a date arranged through an online dating platform. It seems that many women share Tash’s views that all men are bad, as her feminist dystopian novel has become a bestseller.
Tash’s hopes of preserving her feminist views in the production are dashed when she discovers that the series will be directed by Ram Braverman, known for macho films that objectify women. Since the contract is signed, Tash will be forced to collaborate with an intimacy coordinator to enhance the sexual content of the story, essentially aligning Braverman’s vision with a “dirty version” of The Colony.
Tash’s friends, Janelle, and her wife, Denise, agree to meet her at a South Beach restaurant. The production company has arranged a dinner with Ram and Tash has invited her friends who, she hopes, can back up her point of view for the film. Denise doesn’t show and by the time Tash finds Janelle, she’s had too much to drink and is flirting with Caleb, who says he’s in town for the film festival. He’s interested in a documentary about burlesque, Vaudeville Striptease, which Tash wastes no time calling “a cheap excuse to look at boobs.”
When Tash finally finds a seat with Ram, he informs her that they will be joined by the intimacy coordinator, who turns out to be Caleb. Tash also discovers that the documentary she criticized was written about Caleb’s stepmother, Vivienne Palmer, a highly respected burlesque pioneer. Additionally, she learns that Astrid Dalton, the young actress who will portray Noab, is close to Caleb and was Viv’s godchild. It appears that the universe is conspiring against Tash, and she is losing hope of safeguarding her novel.
Intimacy coordinators have become increasingly prevalent since Harvey Weinstein and others were accused of sexual misconduct and harassment of actors on and off the sets. In her book, author Turner Gable Kahn sheds light on the work of these professionals, even before filming commences. Initially hesitant to trust Caleb, Tash believes he is aligned with Ram and will portray her story in a way that favors men and downplays Noab. Despite her resistance to the physical attraction she feels for Caleb, she eventually lets her guard down, and their relationship intensifies. Janelle, who has always believed that Tash’s story should be more captivating, serves as a valuable sounding board. These discussions will likely resonate with many women who often seek advice from their close friends.
The Dirty Version
Turner Gable Kahn
Top photo: Bistock
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