The drug-filled British film with an unknown cast becoming this year’s most buzzed-about movie: How to Have Sex – dubbed ‘Skins meets Trainspotting’ wins rave reviews from critics – but it was inspired the director’s own tragic ordeal

A new film that tells the story of three British girls’ coming-of-age journey to Malia ‘Trainspotting meets Skins’ is about to be a big hit.

The 15-rated feature film, made by Film 4, hits cinemas tomorrow and follows three British teenage girls who travel to the Crete resort to await their GCSE results.

It has won over critics for its handling of the pain and trauma that too often accompanies girlhood.

Despite a relatively unknown cast and a directorial debut for Molly Manning Walker, the film took the Un sure Regard section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival with an eight-minute standing ovation.

A trip full of parties, good friends and the seaside should be one of their best yet, but things take a dark turn when uncomfortable truths, including sexual consent, surface.

The holiday turns sour for Tara (pictured) when she is confronted with a series of uncomfortable truths, including sexual abuse

Beneath the surface of Manning’s glitzy accolades lies a more disturbing reality, as the film is loosely autobiographical.

How to Have Sex is based on a girl’s journey to Malia, where there are three best friends. Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce), Skye (Lara Peake) and Em (Enva Lewis) are all planning to let loose at the holiday resort.

The island is notorious for wild boy holidays and it delivers on its promise. Imagine neon parties, lots of alcohol and drinking games. The girls engage in flirty hookups and Tara hopes she will lose her virginity.

Initially, the journey lives up to expectations, with the girls stumbling home in the early hours, recalling hilarious events while securing the greasiest food they can get their hands on.

Naturally, the girls meet a group of boys, with Paddy (played by Samuel Bottomley) and Badger (Shaun Thomas) initially becoming good friends.

Sex and alcohol consume the holidays, with the kids’ main priority being to get as messy as possible.

But the holiday once filled with carefree laughter and good friends drunkenly declaring their love for each other turns sour when Tara experiences a disturbing sexual experience with Paddy.

It’s not clear to call it a sexual assault because Tara flirts with Paddy. While some viewers will consider it an attack, others will likely be confused. But that’s what Manning hoped to create.

How to Have Sex marks the directorial debut of Molly Manning Walker (pictured), but she’s off to a flying start with rave reviews from critics

In conversation with The timesManning said: ‘We ran workshops across the UK, interviewing young people about their concept of consent and having them read scenes from the film.

“So many girls and boys said, ‘She said yes, so that’s consent.’ Or, “Well, she didn’t get out of bed, so it’s not assault.” That made me very sad. We think there’s all this progress in youth and sex, but nothing has changed. In fact, it could get worse.”

In addition to grappling with themes of sexual violence, the film also depicts friendships and the toxicity they can bring, with sexual encounters taking precedence over the well-being of the group.

But it was another experience that has become all too common in Britain and one that helped shape Manning’s input into the film.

At the age of 16, Manning was sexually assaulted after her drink was spiked during a night out.

When she took the matter to the police, they told her not to bother pursuing charges, even though the attacker already had a criminal record.

Speaking to The Times, Manning said the sexual predator ultimately went to jail for a bank robbery, leaving her wondering why he could be charged for that and not for hurting someone.

Feeling safe and confident was an essential part of the filming process, and Manning made sure everyone felt comfortable while filming sex scenes.

An open and frank discussion between takes helped with this, together with an intimacy coordinator on set.

Although the film achieved its short-term success with awards and praise from critics, Manning aims to get the film into schools to teach sex education.

‘We need to start talking about female pleasure, good sex and consent, empathy and understanding. It’s not about ‘men are bad’. The goal is not to exclude guys or point fingers. “I just want to start a conversation about it,” she said.