06/18/21
It all begins with an idea.
THIS WEEK: ROM-COMS, AND DRAMEDIES, AND SHAKESPEARE (OH MY!).
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube LUMBERJACK - Tyler, The Creator
☞ Letterboxd IN THE HEIGHTS
☞ TikTok #creativityforgood
☞ Spotify good 4 u - Olivia Rodrigo
☞ Netflix Manifest
☞ Twitter #Bennifer
Life & Culture
Darlene is taking a well-deserved vacation this week and we miss her terribly. While she’s Instagramming her way through a hiker’s paradise, I’m attempting to fill her v. large, v. cool shoes. Here’s what’s on my radar:
“Emotion Recognition” technology is coming our way, and it’s terrifying. The Guardian first reported this in May, but there’s been a lot of recent buzz about a bit of tech from a company called Taigusys, which is already being used by a handful of Chinese corporations to monitor employees, supposedly detecting not just their facial expressions but the emotions underlying them—and going so far as to promise it can differentiate a genuine smile from a fake one. It’s Big Brother on a whole other level, and critics say the tech is based on a whole bunch of pseudoscience and stereotyping and is extremely inaccurate, not to mention unethical. But companies are still using it, and “emotion recognition” is projected to be a $36B industry by 2023, so our dystopian future is closer than we all might think.
In less terrible news, Snapchat finally pulled its “speed” filter, which clocks the speed you’re moving at, and has been linked to a bunch of reckless driving incidents. Teens have gotten into accidents trying get selfies going above 100 mph, and have caused injuries, death, and yielded a few different lawsuits. And finally, as of yesterday, Snap confirmed that it’s removing the feature. Better late than never, I suppose.
This week, there’s been a lot of conversation about the lack of Afro-Latinx representation in IN THE HEIGHTS’ version of Washington Heights. It’s a complicated issue that’s wrapped up in a history of colorism in Hollywood (and writ large across many cultures, globally). Lin-Manuel apologized and promised to do better. Rita Morena stepped in to defend him in a way that felt dismissive of the legitimate concerns of Black people who were speaking up. Ultimately, she apologized as well. But what’s more interesting to me is what happens next. Monica Castillo dug into the idea in greater depth on NPR, and makes the point succinctly and smartly: “IN THE HEIGHTS wasn't going to solve decades of media exclusion and centuries of colorism, but perhaps it can start a movement towards a diversity that is actually inclusive.”
And to close on a promising note, Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) officially became a federal holiday as of President Biden’s signing that legislation into law on Thursday. He called it one of the “greatest honors of his presidency” to commemorate the end of slavery in this way. For a little more context on Juneteenth and its history, check out this quick and excellent TikTok from @taylorcassidyj.
—Neha Gandhi, EVP, Digital & Strategy
Don’t worry. We wouldn’t leave you without a fine TikTok buffet—this week I’m offering you the earwax girl, a bear in the ceiling, grandma being too pure, random teachers and last but not least, the lady with... “more bees than usual”. Enjoy my friends.
—Martina Lund, VP, Marketing & Media Design
Film
To keep the queer recs coming for Pride Month, I thought I’d highlight a little gem of a film that largely went by unnoticed when it was released last year: DATING AMBER (trailer)! Directed by David Freyne, this coming-of-age dramedy is set in the mid-90s and follows two closeted teens, Eddie and Amber, struggling to get by under the stifling heteronormativity of their rural town in Ireland. In order to keep their family and schoolmates from speculating about their sexuality, they make a pact to stage a relationship together. While the premise of DATING AMBER is fairly straightforward, the central performances from Fionn O’Shea (Eddie) and Lola Petticrew (Amber) are what made this film a standout to me; they bring uproarious laughs and quiet moments of self-discovery to a beautiful friendship that evolves in the wake of their fake relationship. And most strikingly, the sequences where Eddie and Amber sneak away to Dublin to explore queer nightlife together feel like lightning in a bottle; it’s nostalgic, exhilarating and authentic to the experience of many queer youth yearning for life beyond the confines of their provincial origins. Check it out on HBO Max this weekend if you’re looking for a fun, moving, queer coming-of-age film!
—Neal Mulani, Development Assistant
TV
In the pilot of STARSTRUCK (trailer here), Jessie (played by the show’s creator Rose Matafeo), begrudgingly celebrates New Year’s Eve with her best friend, and ends up sleeping with a man she meets in a nightclub bathroom—only to learn the next morning that he’s mega-famous movie star Tom Kapoor (Nikesh Patel). The rest of the six-episode rom-com chronicles their chance encounters and uncertain attempts to reunite. It’s not a will-they-won’t-they so much as a desperate why-won’t-they. Although they’re obviously interested in each other, personal hang-ups prevent both characters from seriously trying to make things work. The series is at its best in the moments when it explores these vulnerabilities—a highlight for me is a monologue delivered by Matafeo’s character, a late-20’s New Zealander living in London, which perfectly expresses the loneliness that can come with being young in a city. And if all that still isn’t enough for you, the show is also very funny. Check it out on HBO Max!
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
Book
Amanda Montell’s new non-fiction book, CULTISH, is the perfect summer read if you’re looking for something intellectual but not dry, and introspective but not too navel-gaze-y. The book is an exploration of the cultish phenomena that we unwittingly encounter every day. Montell, a linguistics scholar and journalist, unpacks both the psychology and the linguistic patterns that cult-like groups use to lure people in and make them feel like part of a community. From SoulCycle and Peleton to Heaven’s Gate and Jonestown, Montell indicts these cults and communities without criticizing those who fall under their spell. Great reading for anyone tempted to rewatch THE VOW.
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Podcast
I’m using my PS Weekly debut to recommend an oldie but goodie that’s very much worth your time. BUBBLE, by the guys at Maximum Fun, is one of my favorite fiction podcasts of all time. It notably strays from the sort of earnest thrillers we so often see in the scripted space and gives us some quirky gore that feels like an ADULT SWIM romp in audio. And that makes a ton of sense given that writer/creator Jordan Morris’ credits include stints on Comedy Central as well as Comedy Bang! Bang! On TV.
BUBBLE is the story of badass monster killer Morgan, who grew up outside the safe city bounds of FAIRHAVEN, a kind of hipster Utopia created by a Jeff Bezos-type (played out to his most dangerous conclusion). She puts her skills to monetizable use by joining HUNTR, a highly competitive app for those helping keep the city streets safe and doing it with style. The dialogue is sharp, the insights are witty, and don’t worry—there’s a mysterious backstory too. Enjoy!
—Emmanuelle Stahler, VP, Audio
Theatre
I am so excited to be able to start writing about live theatre again, even if it means most readers can’t actually attend (sorry in advance…). Right now, I’m incredibly excited for The Public Theater’s upcoming Shakespeare in the Park production of MERRY WIVES by Jocelyn Bioh, an adaptation of THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR set in the West African immigrant community of South Harlem. The best news (other than the fact that it’s only 90 minutes long) is that this year, due to Covid safety measures, there will be no in-person line for tickets! While I cherish my memories of lining up at 7 a.m. for tickets in the past, I’m very okay using the lottery app instead, this summer.
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Music
Not to sound like every other person who’s obsessed with Tyler, The Creator but yes, Tyler just blessed us with a new single, LUMBERJACK. It all started last week when a series of billboards popped up around LA with the phrase “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” and a number that you won’t regret calling (try calling it, seriously!). And then on Monday, Tyler released this incredible video, SIDE STREET… giving us Confused Boy Summer energy. (Haha jk.. unless?) Two days later, because the man never disappoints, he gave us LUMBERJACK. If you haven’t yet seen the music video, go do that now. Directed by Wolf Haley (one of Tyler’s many alter egos), the video is visually-stunning, conceptually unique, and stylistically beautiful. So, what’s next? I’m just holding my breath to see what this rapper/musical artist/fashion icon/designer/visual artist/producer/comedian will bless us with..!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant