Friendships between women often don’t receive the attention they deserve in the narratives we consume. So the women behind this month’s VOD and web series picks have taken things into their own hands: they’ve directed, written, and created stories focusing on characters just trying to make it through life — with their best friends in tow, of course.
Valeria Bruni Tedeschi and Micaela Ramazzoti star in “Like Crazy,” our VOD pick. Co-written by Francesca Archibugi, this film tells the story of two eccentric women who break out of a mental institution in search of something more. “Quarter Life*,” a web series written by Celia Quillian and Shelli Delgado, follows a pair of women that form a powerful bond when they’re partnered up for a post-college internship.
“Adulting,” a web series written by Cassidy Davis, continues the motif of women facing the world together, as it shows two friends moving to the big city in an attempt to adult and begin new careers. Creators Brynn Peebles and Brianna Wiens round things off with “Girls vs. The City.” Like all the stories mentioned above, the web series’ main characters are at each other’s side as they navigate life, love, and everything else.
Here are Women and Hollywood’s VOD and web series selections for November.
VOD
“Like Crazy” — Co-Written by Francesca Archibugi
“Like Crazy,” co-written by Francesca Archibugi, tells the story of an unpredictable friendship that forms between two women in a progressive but secure psychiatric clinic. Beatrice (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi), a “self-styled billionaire countess who likes to believe she’s on intimate terms with world leaders,” bonds with Donatella (Micaela Ramazotti), a “tattooed introvert [and] fragile young woman locked in her own mystery.”
This film takes us on an unexpected journey where we see the world as the protagonists see it: an “open-air nuthouse.” And it’s only together that they discover what happiness means and what they’re willing to do to obtain it in a culture that has stigmatized them.
Stream “Like Crazy” on Netflix or rent or buy it on Vimeo.
Web Series
“Quarter Life*” — Written by Celia Quillian and Shelli Delgado
Celia Quillian and Shelli Delgado write and star in “Quarter Life*,” which follows two young women leaving college behind and stepping out into the real world. When they’re promoted from interns to video content producers, the characters Celia and Shelli become friends who face everyday challenges, “including odd coworkers, roommates and rent, staying fit, and dating, on and offline,” together.
Right away, it’s easy to connect to these two. In the first two minutes of the first episode you’re able to recognize yourself in Celia and Shelli: like the rest of us, they ignore their alarm over and over until they’re in a mad dash to get ready for work, multitask the hell out of their mornings, and dither over their appearance.
You can watch the entire first season of “Quarter Life” on YouTube.
“Adulting” — Written by Cassidy Davis
Katie (writer Cassidy Davis) and Charlie (Mallory Fuccella) are trying to follow their dreams in “Adulting.” Moving to the big city, they’re ready to attempt to be adults — the keyword being “attempt.” They struggle with relatable things like finding an apartment, parking, and dealing with people who are ready to write them off. As we watch them it’s easy to relate with their day to day adult woes.
What makes “Adulting” unique and hilarious is the way that the filming pulls you into Katie and Charlie’s story and makes you notice things that are seemingly ordinary, but at second glance are actually weird and unforgettable. The laid back landlord who won’t stop chewing gum, for example, or the creeper that somehow pops up everywhere with a flower on hand.
Check out new episodes of “Adulting” every Wednesday on YouTube.
“Girls vs. The City” — Created by Brynn Peebles and Brianna Wiens
“Girls vs. The City” stars and is created by Brynn Peebles and Brianna Wiens. The web series follows characters Brynn and Brianna, who exist in an in-between stage: they’re not really young, but they’re by no means adults, either. They grapple with work and life, and attempt to fit in with the strange characters in their city.
Despite everything that comes their way — turtle neck dress-wearing millennials planning their proposals with tea cup pigs, and hot creeps that hand out fliers advising people to follow their “pleasure path”— Brynn and Brianna keep pushing forward and inciting laughter.
You can watch the entire first season “Girls vs. The City” on YouTube.