Ultimately, director Anna Biller hopes to upend cultural perceptions of a woman's role in society. However, in order to shatter these stereotypes she must first indulge them.

After able (and amply endowed) Barbi Smith (Anna Biller) loses her job thanks to a cheeky boss, she takes her turn at housewifing. Her husband Rick's (Chad England) preoccupation with work leaves Barbi lonely and bored, and a mishap involving an attempt at modeling only widens the gap between Barbi and her husband. Barbi decides it's time to truly live life, and she does so by assuming the persona of a more sensual person. Barbi becomes Viva.

From the outset, "Viva" is a beautifully stylized film, embracing the '70s sexploitation aesthetic in all its polyester glory. Though the soundtrack's porn-style jams imply ensuing hard-core action, "Viva" stops shy of such degrading on-screen behavior, and relies instead on lots and lots of nudity and an endless barrage of sexual imagery to document Viva's sexual awakening.

Viva's exploration lands her in multiple positions (pun very much intended), presenting herself and her companion in this sex-fueled picaresque as lovers, sinners, swingers, victims, friends and mothers. For Anna Biller, whose work on the film included writing, directing, costume designing and starring, the topic seems a natural fit. For all its campy one-liners and plot turns, "Viva" remains true to Barbi's discoveries.

Sure, "Viva" provides wonderful eye candy, but it isn't just an indie skin flick. It's an indie skin flick with a moral.