Belgian series ‘Sex Tape’ offers relationship advice with a revealing twist

Couples try to sort out their issues using a unique therapy – by filming their most intimate moments and discussing them with a sexologist.

‘Sex Tape’ host Goedele Liekens. Source: SBS

The participants

Sex Tape meticulously examines the relationships of 15 brave Belgian couples, among them, bus drivers, IT experts, entertainers, aged care workers and housekeepers who represent a diversity of age and sexuality. Some have been together for many years, some have just met, some live together, some apart, some have children, some don’t. But there’s one thing they have in common – issues they need help sorting out.

Some of the participants who aren’t afraid to put their sex lives out for discussion. Source: SBS

The host

Host, Belgian sexologist Goedele Liekens (Sex Box), rose to fame after winning the Miss Belgium title in 1986. Since then she has completed a psychology degree, been a regular television host in both Belgium and the Netherlands, published several books dealing with sex-related subject matter, and has two of her own magazines.

Liekens is also a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in the area of reproductive health and has campaigned extensively for broader, more inclusive sexual education.

‘Sex Tape’ host Goedele Liekens. Source: SBS

The show: is this soft porn in disguise?

Liekens asks the couples to unabashedly film the intricacies of their relationships while they are at home and then invites them to an open discussion about what’s working, what’s not, and the habits and choices they make about sex and their overall relationship.

Liekens is adamant that Sex Tape is not a porn show, but more of an educative tool.

What is really going on in the bedrooms and living rooms of these couples? Which issues are resolved and which ones linger and repeat?

Liekens says,

“Everything we show remains suggestive. It is not the intention to shock but to hold a mirror up to viewers. We hope that couples who look at Sex Tape start talking effectively about their own relationship.”

The participants in ‘Sex Tape’ represent a diversity of sexuality, ages and backgrounds. Source: SBS

And Sex Tape is not all sex, says Liekens

. “Sex is so much more than the act itself, isn’t it? Kissing, hugging ... These are also intimate acts. Just like coming home, grabbing your sweetheart and start dancing together. Our couples also show those things in the program.”

So after each long week of filming, it’s time, tape in hand, for each couple to view the week’s action and try to identify and discuss what’s going wrong and where they can make improvements.

But it’s not just Liekens who views the recordings – so too do all the other participant couples. In fact, everyone watches everyone else’s tapes and offers up handy tips for relationship and sexual enhancement. And in doing so, Sex Tape allows couples the freedom to talk about sex in a fun and open way while hopefully getting some positive relationship results.