At its simplest level, Plushophilia is an intense love of stuffed animals – also called plushies. Plushophilia is only a mental health disorder if the individual becomes obsessed – to the point that it interferes with their ability to function socially. The word can also mean a sexual attraction to stuffed animals.
Written and Starring C. Hope Belmont – and Directed by Mauricio Marces – PLUSHOPHILIA is an Award Winning super short film (1:53).
The film takes place in a therapy session where a lonely middle-aged woman details her latest foray into the world of dating. The film is a sneak peak into the patient’s life – explaining to her therapist who we never see (Helene Galek) – that she is depressed.
We learn the patient had a date with “a really nice guy”. Things were going well til the date asked her if she had any hobbies. Enter the patient’s plushies – Pony and Goat – who get upset if she leaves them at home.
The patient goes onto explain that Pony and Goat know their boundaries – and have promised not to watch if she and her date were to have sex.
Listed as a comedy, this film has much more of a dramatic tone. The lovely portrayal of the patient by C. Hope Belmont was heartfelt. Her connection to her “friends” was real.
This filmmaker gives an education to those of us who are unfamiliar with the word Plushophilia – a lesson in under 2 minutes. We also get a glimpse into what the story could be – if given more time to tell it.
The patient asks the therapist – “You think I’ll ever have a boyfriend doc?” – in an emotional moment at the end of the film, it seems as if she already knows.