|
|
April 5, 2002
Life of a single person
TV series looks at the search for love in Vancouver.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
In the newest reality TV series, Paperny Films follows 11 singles
on their quest for love in Vancouver.
Meet Jacob, a 24-year-old animator by day, comedian by night, who
is looking for the "girl in the jogging pants" who wants
to sit and watch a movie or go for a walk. And meet Carrie, 37,
a youth and family worker, who is looking for a partner with whom
she can raise a family.
These are just two of the people looking for a relationship, or
the occasional night of companionship, in Singles. Viewers
get to know something about each person through interviews and shots
of the single with their friends or family.
"For five months beginning last summer, we had amazing access
to the lives of each of our very different characters. They let
us film them preparing for dates, sometimes even on their dates.
We met their friends, lovers, parents and exes. We heard about what
they hoped for, what they were afraid of and how it all turned out,"
said producer Stacey Offman in a release.
The promotional material claims that the series "looks deep
inside the real-life ins and outs of single life" and, while
there are some intimate moments, we really only get to know a little
about the 11 people featured - which, frankly, is more than enough
information in some cases.
"I am lonely, but I am so happy. I've got everything I ever
wanted and I've got it at 24. Right now I'd like to share it all.
That'd be great," explains Jacob in one episode, as he eats
a breakfast of pancakes with cottage cheese and syrop. Jacob hasn't
had a girlfriend in four years. He complains that he doesn't meet
enough people, but the fact that he owns a well-used set of binoculars
with which he peers through his window at women may be more the
reason that he remains single.
Carrie comes across as more normal than Jacob. She seems to have
a good relationship with her parents and to have some supportive
friends, but she admits to not liking many people and not getting
out much - two reasons for why she is still unattached. A lesbian,
Carrie would like to be in a committed relationship and have kids,
and she fears time is running out for such things.
"I get lonely, but it's a loneliness about intimacy. And as
I get older and more difficult, I wonder too, am I going to meet
somebody?" she says.
Among the other singles that we meet are James, a 33-year-old black
man from the Prairies who says he'll do anything for love; Kirsten,
27, who is not looking for marriage or a long-term relationship;
Lisa, a 37-year-old single mother who, according to her son, is
looking for the "perfect man"; and Julian, 31, an architect
and student, who is looking for his soulmate.
For someone who doesn't watch a lot of reality TV, it is somewhat
uncomfortable to witness some of the more intimate details of strangers'
lives: Julian's rejection, Lisa's drunken date and Kirsten's friends
talking about bikini waxes, for example. However, there is a voyeuristic
side to all of us and a curiosity to see how things turn out. Supposedly,
some of the singles manage to meet their match during the series.
To find out which ones is enough reason to tune in to the program,
which is produced by an accomplished production company.
Vancouver-based Paperny Films' credits include the award-winning
documentary The Life and Times of Dr. Henry Morgentaler,
which was produced by Audrey Mehler and David Paperny, a member
of the Jewish community. Paperny Films also produced the award-nominated
The Broadcast Tapes of Dr. Peter, about a Vancouver doctor
with AIDS, To Love, Honor and Obey, about a Canadian Sikh
who married against her family's wishes, and Forced March to
Freedom, a Second World War documentary.
Singles launches on Life Network Tuesday, April 9, at 6 p.m.
and 10 p.m., and runs for 13 weeks.
^TOP
|
|
