Jenn Harris takes comedy very seriously. An award-winning director, writer and actress, she puts it all out there — literally — in her new film, “She’s Clean.”
The movie is about a woman, played by Harris, who is single and dating in New York City. In an attempt to intertwine her desires for sexual freedom with emotional intimacy, she chooses to shower with all of her dates almost as soon as she meets them.
The entire comedic short film, set to release on Vimeo and other streaming services on June 5, takes place in the main character’s bathroom, which was filmed in a charming Brooklyn brownstone. And yes, for those who are wondering, the characters are naked throughout most of the film.
It’s a brave movie, as well as a brave character, who, by the way, has no name in the film — at least she’s not addressed with one.
Harris, who can be seen in the Oscar-winning film “American Fiction,” wanted the protagonist to appear more relatable to the audience, thus her decision to leave her nameless.
The actress finds her character relatable, too, especially since she’s based on her own personal experiences —- her own “bizarre” dating experiences, as she matter-of-factly put it.
“It felt like something that I couldn’t not make,” the actress said. “This is something that I had to make. And I have written a bunch of long scenes, basically inspiration from dates when I found myself at 41 and single for the first time. I just found it so bizarre and wild and incredible. I just found dating so interesting.”
She’s Clean: The “audacity” of the dating world
As many single New Yorkers know, dating can be tough. Well, actually as anyone in the world (or galaxy, probably) knows, dating can be tough. “She’s Clean” is not only inspired by Harris’ personal life, but also the evolution of dating and how it has changed over the years.
“The audacity of both the dates and myself. Behavior is so different from what I had remembered,” she said. “The audacity of the dating world is incredible. Dynamics are just not named or talked about.”
But the film is not a complete comedy. Or drama. It’s a dram-edy with elements of realism and funny scenes scattered throughout. Like when she’s showering with one guy and he tells her he’s still in love with his ex-girlfriend.
An awkward and maybe somewhat heart-breaking scene, but Harris’ writing and her character’s reaction aim to make viewers laugh.
Overall, the film is achingly personal. Harris’ character encounters a lot of different reactions from the dozen or so men she meets and showers with. It was important, she said, to make a film involving sex where all the characters are consenting and in which there is no need to point out the permission or excuses the character needs to make in order for her to enjoy herself and her partners.
Dating and marriage
In real life, Harris spends her time in both New York City and Los Angeles, calling herself “bi-coastal.” When it comes to her personal life, she’s hoping to one day leave the “bizarre” dating scene behind her. She wouldn’t mind tying the knot, too.
And she’s also learned a lot from her dating days.
“I do think that as I’m getting older and dating more, I’m learning to communicate better about what I’m looking for,” she said. “And also stay open to men who might surprise me. It can be hard with many experiences that don’t turn out the way that I would like because I very much look forward to being married one day.”
She’s not necessarily looking for someone to “complete her,” so to speak. But someone she can share her life with.
“I think I’m finally at a place where I know what I have to offer as a girlfriend and as a wife eventually, and I’m looking forward to that, and what I can offer a relationship rather than what I’m looking to get from it,” she said.
