Home Entertainment: ‘DTF’ Digital Review

Director Al Bailey decides to help his long-haul pilot friend, “Christian”, find love again after the death of his wife. The plan is to use the dating app Tinder and explore whether lasting relationships can be found on the platform. Not long into the filming however, Bailey and his crew realise that the movie has strayed in an unexpected direction as it becomes very apparent that Christian is in the market for a very different experience. As Bailey tries to keep Christian in check, he finds himself dragged into a dark world of sexual depravity and addiction. With Christian’s behaviour spiralling, will Bailey manage to complete the project, and even if he does, will their friendship survive?

Known only as “Christian” throughout the film, for legal reasons, we never actually get to see or hear the real identity of the documentary’s subject. The film plays through a combination of shots either from behind Christian, or with his face blurred out; his voice is permanently distorted, with subtitles accompanying his speech. This masking of identity, coupled with Christian’s erratic behaviour, means that Bailey has no option but to insert himself into the film, if only to offer the viewer a respite from pixelated blurs. It’s a move that works and offers the audience a sympathetic person to connect with, as Christian is anything but. Bailey himself has that roguish Guy Martin charm, his personality shines through and makes the piece bearable when it ventures into darker territory. That being said, he also becomes one of the many victims of Christian’s reprehensible behaviour, and there’s one sequence in Las Vegas involving Bailey that makes for tough viewing.

Those expecting a heartfelt tear-jerking tale of a lonely widow trying to reconnect romantically with someone again should take note of the title. Anyone whom has watched shows such as Jersey Shore will be aware that the films title, DTF, is an acronym for the term ‘Down To F**k’ and that is most certainly a description that befits the documentary’s subject. It quickly becomes clear that Christian has a lot of issues, especially concerning alcohol and his view of women; the documentary morphs from looking for love to an expose of the life of a wild long-haul aeroplane pilot, one whom is obviously suffering from a multitude of vices and addictions. Although not able to get any comments on-screen, during the course of the feature, Bailey mentions several times conversations he has had with other pilots whom, whilst not being as extreme as Christian, verify that it’s a common behavioural pattern within the industry. It’s a terrifying revelation that Christian might not be the only person in the profession acting in this way, and you’ll likely not think about pilots in quite the same way again.

Viewers should be warned that DTF is a film that tackles a lot of controversial topics. Anyone with with particular sensitivities around consent and sexual depravities should be forewarned that Christian is the embodiment of the ‘White God complex’ and is a man whom thinks that all women should immediately sleep with him, that he is entitled to exploit them. If they decline his offers and advances, he does not take it well. Christian’s behaviour is completely reprehensible, even Bailey, a supposed close friend, is perceived as fair game to provide Christian with entertainment. One could argue that Christian is on a grief spiral following the tragic death of his wife, but revelations during the film point to his pattern of behaviour having existed for years. It’s a frightening thought, especially when you consider that this man is still out there today, and we know little of how he looks or sounds.

There are a few, very few, fleeting exchanges between Christian and Bailey that indicate how these two contrasting men could have once been friends, but in many ways, the project can be viewed as the destruction of a friendship caught on film. DTF isn’t quite all doom and gloom however, with occasional lighter moments featured that are able to cut through the darkness. Instances with Bailey and his crew help ease the discomfort, and it’s in them that the audience finds an ally for their unease with Christian. The crew are as bewildered and disgusted as the viewer, and that common feeling bonds them together.

Eye-opening and illuminating, DTF once more proves that fact is stranger than fiction. A wild ride that, although frequently hard to watch, is incredibly powerful, absorbing, and enlightening.

DTF is available on Digital HD now.