Slamdance 2022 Film Festival – When I found out that drag superstar Katya would be in her own short presentation at SLAMDANCE entitled Be Your Own Dentist I was excited, to say the least. I was even more intrigued by the fact that it was an optional VR experience. The short does not disappoint fans of both Katya and the surreal as it invites viewers into a dreamlike meditation space with a nasty twist. Directed by Jonathan Sims and written and starring Katya Zamolodchikova we get a taste of Katya’s biting humor and love for the absurd for a wince-worthy barrage of imagery and playful unease.

Fade in – We are in a meditation chamber seemingly designed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. Katya welcomes the viewer in the rose-tinted space as two figures in black sit behind her on either side. The experience begins with breathing exercises and the calm, droning invitation to relax and give in. That’s when the pliers are introduced. I mean, how else will you begin to methodically extract your own teeth? With deadpan delivery, Katya and her cohorts blissfully instruct viewers to begin removing their molars. The pairing of calm meditation and visceral action is hilarious. There were multiple times when I had to either remind myself to breathe or stop clenching my teeth.

Again, this is a hypnagogic horror piece with little plot and one goal in mind; Be Your Own Dentist wants to make you laugh and squirm and it does a fine job at both. If you love absurdist humor, a little bit of blood, and fabulous costumes, this is the short for you. Just remember to bring the pliers.

8 Out of 10