Yes, folks, that is what the film Catfish is. It's a crazy story of a boy and girl falling for each other--over AIM and Facebook communications. My jaw dropped (literally) several times whilst watching this film, and my emotions were taken on a wild ride. It's one of the best directed psychological thrillers I have seen, and the only one that calls itself a documentary.
There is drama and much speculation as to how much the filmmakers knew while documenting the virtual relationship of the lead subjects. There is such a controlled unfolding of details that it seems to be scripted--or at least anticipated and expected by the filmmakers. Alas, even the most neutral documentary cannot escape the fact that it stands on some biased vantage point. I am personally not too concerned with Catfish's manipulation of the story. In fact, I think it is apropos. Because of its calculated direction, the audience is swept into the emotions of the story, giving this cautionary tale a sharp hook. At the end of it, you walk away with this little internet-age ethnography haunting your thoughts.
8.31.2010
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2 comments:
This looks very very interesting...I'll have to catch a screening of it!
Sounds nifty! Netflix, saved.
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