In the first chapter of the Filmin series Self defense, the production makes its intentions clear. This will be a shameless and bizarre exploitation of the narcissism of our age. Much more, from the way in which the very young analyze, deepen and approach the idea of living in a world in constant transformation.
It might seem like a simple premise, until the two leads try to get over a hangover while debating an uncomfortable topic. Suddenly, breakfast, after an extravagant party, turns into subtle questions about sex and consent. All while the camera goes from one side to the other, surprises, makes unique games with the visual section.
Self defense it opens with a sneaky camera that follows its two main characters with experimental swiftness. She does it, from a singular look about their personalities. Joy, cynicism, cynicism and at the same time, a rare enthusiasm to understand a time full of rare promise.
Self defense
Self defense it is an intimate document, showing a peculiar sense of identity. Each of its ten chapters are self-contained, allowing the series to take time to explore specific aspects of its characters. Self-defense does not want to leave lessons. Nor, to analyze the subject of life today from commonplaces. So that he makes an effort, he goes through his strangest points, the script becomes a network of apparent improvisations. The sense of humor becomes awkward, then brilliant and finally, intelligent and well considered.
Life, the big questions, the jokes
In particular, the way in which it shows, sooner or later, the challenge of living in a hyper-technical world, being a woman and others very young. All in one Barcelona that is shown in all its explosive fullness and its rare beauty of a certain postmodern space. A journey through surviving in a culture in which
A hackneyed topic? It could be, unless the idea of its creators and protagonists, Berta Prieto and Belén Barenys, goes beyond the story about how complicated youth is. In reality, Self Defense, is a parallel world, it is a fracture in the ordinary. It is the world that passes between extravagant moments.
From short, awkward phone calls, the love for Tinder, the feeling of infinite loneliness. From the centennial world, turned into an uncomfortable and strange panorama, which is linked to more elaborate perceptions of identity.
Once upon a time there were two women in a singular world
Who are the women of this age, who must endure the search for love and sex from places unknown to any other generation? Self defense He makes it clear in his first frantic minutes. The camera turns the image into a blur of colors, the dialogues into existentialist questions.
With a speed that is at times delusional and at others moving, Self defense sharp questions are asked disguised as satirical humor. But beyond that, to make it clear that his humor — sometimes irritating — is an excuse for something else. The greatest merit of the series is to hide its true objective — this exploration of modern identity — under an apparent mockery of everyday life. Hence, each chapter has its own personality, editing style, and visual identity.
But actually, Self defense it is an intimate document, showing a peculiar sense of identity. Each of its ten chapters are self-contained, allowing the series to take time to explore specific aspects of its characters. Self defense does not want to leave lessons. Nor, to analyze the subject of life today from commonplaces.
So that he makes an effort, he goes through his strangest points, the script becomes a network of apparent improvisations. The sense of humor becomes awkward, then brilliant and finally, intelligent and well considered. A journey through how the younger generation, the one that doesn’t understand the world without mobile phones or social networks, asks questions about the future.
Self defense, life in small pieces of information
One of the most interesting points of Self Defense is how it uses its visual resources to make its most important points clear. The main theme is, of course, youth. But not the general idea, complacent and most of the time confusing. Self defense she is obsessed with her characters’ ability to articulate big questions from singular spaces. Also, to provoke, irritate and in the end amuse. All under the perception of contemporary identity.
About us? It is the big question Self defense. The answer is not simple and of course, the series does not expect it to be. Perhaps its greatest merit.