One of the most popular themes in art is the exploration of the self, identity, and the way society impacts the way we view ourselves. In this month’s picks for web series, women try to navigate the roles society expects them to fill without quite sticking the landing, while our VOD picks delve into the aspects that make characters engrossing, understandable, and disturbing.
“Disengaged” tackles the complicated question of marriage in the modern era through the eyes of two women in a committed relationship. Without ever condemning the idea of marriage itself, the series explores the pressure to marry that LGBT couples faced in the wake of SCOTUS’s ruling to legalize same-sex marriage, and the challenges of fitting into a social institution that has a tradition of exclusion.
Social convention also drove the creation of “Under the Table,” a comedic web series that cheekily promises to “help prove women aren’t funny.” The leading characters of “Under the Table” do not fit the standard Hollywood mold used for female characters, but, instead, provide a diverse and authentic look at the lives of three messy, hilarious friends.
On VOD this month, “H.,” an interpretation of the Helen of Troy myth crossed with a supernatural horror film, depicts the parallel lives of two women named Helen living in Troy, NY. This feature-length film explores the particular traits that make each Helen, well, Helen — motherhood, career, marriage, survival instinct — and how the women’s similar trajectories in life emphasize their distinctive identities.
“Oh Lucy!” on the other hand, focuses on one character who knows exactly who she is and who she wants to be. Hint: they are not the same person. Setsuko is a middle-aged “office lady” whose colleague is retiring after 47 years of work and little else. Desperate to escape the same, mundane fate of her co-worker, Setsuko attempts to upend her life without fully comprehending the difficulty that task poses.
Here are our picks for this month’s women-centric VOD and web series picks.
Web Series
“Disengaged” — Co-Written and Created by Jen Tullock and Pearl Utt
Over a year ago, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage should be legal in all fifty states. But what effect did this legislation have on LGBT couples already in long term, committed partnerships? On the eve of nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, Jules (Hannah Pearl Utt) and Sidney (Jen Tullock) find themselves diving headfirst into a hasty engagement. As they plan for their wedding, this series explores the complicated question of marriage as a social convention. The entire first season can be found here.
“Under the Table” — Co-Created by Lauren Davis, Andra Whipple, and Hanna Bowens
After Ang’s (Maggie Monk) credit card scam is compromised, she and her two roommates Riley (Cindy Chu) and Lisa (Michaela Myers) must come up with a new plan to bring in money. The solution? Start a business selling their own hooch. Series creator Lauren Davis says “the plot is pretty much driven by women’s needs in their lives, and how to survive, and their incompetence at doing so.” The series was developed in the wake of Michael Eisner’s comments that it is hard to find funny, beautiful women; Davis and her co-creators Andra Whipple and Hanna Bowens began work on the series to challenge his statement and to create comedic roles for diverse women who didn’t fit certain molds. Watch the entire first season here.
VOD
“H.” — Co-Written and Co-Directed by Rania Attieh
Many women are haunted by the prospect of motherhood, whether it’s the standard “Should I?/Shouldn’t I?” question, or the tragic “Can I?/Can’t I?” The two protagonists of “H.” — both named Helen — and their respective experiences with motherhood are the foundation of the film’s sense of dread. The first Helen (Robin Bartlett) is married, in her mid-sixties, and cares for a “Reborn Doll” as an outlet for her seemingly unrealized maternal instincts. The other Helen (Rebecca Dayan) is in her thirties, pregnant, and a successful artist. The two Helens’ lives are presented as Yin and Yang. Older Helen appears to be unhappy, delusional, and desperate; younger Helen is enjoying her peak. However, all that is put to the test when a meteor hits their hometown. Suddenly, Helen and Helen must find their bearings as their lives are disrupted and their identities are shaken to the core. Visit iTunes to rent or buy “H.”
“Oh Lucy!” — Written and Directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi
When we first meet her, smoking and working are all that occupies Setsuko’s (Kaori Momoi) time. She’s not thrilled about that and worries her fate is identical to Yoshiko’s (Miyoko Yamaguchi), an office mate who is about to retire and share her “Second Life” with no one besides a teddy bear. When Setsuko begins taking English lessons with a charismatic American (Billy Scott), he calls her “Lucy” and gives her a blonde wig. It will be easier for her to learn a new language if she is a new person. At first, Setsuko thinks “Lucy” is all she needs to revitalize her life and become the woman she’s always wanted to be. However, things go awry as they are wont to do and a shattered Setsuko lashes out at Yoshiko. This short film highlights how hard it is to truly redefine yourself and skewers the classic “boy meets girl and changes her life forever and for the better” trope. No one can change Setsuko, not even her charming ESL teacher. She will have to depend on herself if she wants to avoid Yoshiko’s path, and that infuriates her. You can rent or buy “Oh Lucy!” on Vimeo.
