25: Ronald's Little Factory: A Commentary on Mormon Masturbation

The Natasha Helfer Podcast

Natasha sat down with Brent Bokovoy to discuss his latest film, "Ronald’s Little Factory". Those growing up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints receive clear messages that in order to abide by the “Law of Chastity” you should not fall to the temptation of masturbation. This belief, that masturbation is a sin, is common in fundamental, conservative & strict religions. Masturbation has long been seen within the scientific and pediatric communities as normative human behavior. We discussed the impacts these kinds of religious teachings have, when in essence, people are expected to go to war with a natural part of themselves.

There will be a showing of the movie that I will host on August 3rd at 7 pm at Brewvies Cinema Pub in Salt Lake City for anyone who wants to join us. Brent Bokovoy is an award-winning filmmaker from San Diego. His short films have won awards from Universal Studios, The San Diego Film Awards, and the horror magazine Rue Morgue. His first feature film, Ronald’s Little Factory, is a dark comedy film inspired by his early life as an awkward Mormon boy. He is currently writing another quirky Mormon horror story he plans to film in early 2024.

Movie synopsis - The night before he leaves on his Mormon Mission, Ronald handcuffs his hands to his bedpost to keep himself from “revving” up his little factory. When he accidentally gets stuck to his bed, his overbearing mother must call on all the “peculiar” members of their church to help free Ronald. Ronald’s Little Factory is a dark comedy feature film inspired by the cult classic “Little Factory” talk by Boyd. K. Packer. The film may or may not be based on actual events from the early life of Brent Bokovoy.

Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek

Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini