Fools by Martin Walker

Monday, October 22, 2007

Film Comedies and the Male Fantasy

Here is an interesting article in the L.A. Times today about the state of romantic comedies:

http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/radio/cl-ca-comedy21oct21,0,5703822.story

Is Hollywood relegated to making only Judd Apatow-kind of romantic comedies where the male protagonist is a "lovable" loser while his love interest is the perfect hottie? In other words, the only thing a man needs to bring to the dating table is himself, warts and all, while a woman needs to bring a perfect body, perfect career, perfect personality, and most importantly, enough inner beauty and non-superficiality to overlook the fact that her date's a complete loser?

In the first vignette, "Love 10 to 1", Jenny is a 29-year old virgin who is looking to finally lose her virginity by her 30th birthday. However, she finds it very difficult to meet the right guy. Yes, this film is a comedy about the difficulties of finding the "One". But this film is also about how one woman breaks free from her mother's (aka, society's) idea of perfection for her, and starts to truly live her life, on her own terms.

Love 10 to 1 doesn't speak for all women and their dating realities. However, it's written and directed by three women filmmakers, and this is our take on the romantic comedy.

Christine

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About The Three Shorts

Christine Le wrote and directed the 1st story Love 10 to 1.
The first story explores the life of a 29-year-old virgin, Jenny, who desperately wants to lose her virginity before her 30th birthday. As she encounters one loser after another on dates, Jenny pines after her boss, Dustin. While at her grandmother’s retirement home, Jenny learns a powerful lesson from her grandmother about sex and the meaning of life.


Christine Le (right) directs Shireen Nomura Mui (Jenny) & Justin Klosky (Jim).

Lucy Rodriguez wrote and directed Love Song.
The second story revolves around Shane, the lead singer of the L.A. rock band, Dirty Virgin. Shane has her pick of admirers but it’s her roommate Dustin she wants to be with. Shane confesses her feelings on Jackie and Jared’s show but when Dustin meets Cali, Shane’s shot at love starts to dwindle. With Dirty Virgin about to embark on a world tour, will Dustin realize that he’s the object of Shane’s affections? Will they risk their friendship to give this Love Song a chance?


Lucy Rodriguez & David Villar (Dustin)

Laura Somers wrote and directed Diving Lessons.
The final story picks up where Love 10 to 1 left off, but from the perspective of Jim, the guitarist of Dirty Virgin. Jim sees Jenny at a swimming pool, trying desperately to overcome her fear of diving. In fact, he finds out that she’s making a list of everything that she’s afraid of and trying to overcome them, one by one. He is instantly smitten and tries to convince her that he’s not just a rock star who ‘loves ‘em and leaves ‘em’. Can a rock star find love with a virgin?


Shireen Nomura-Mui, Laura Somers & Justin Klosky




Leah Anova is the Director of Photography for Love 10 to 1 & Diving Lessons.

Additional Cinematography on Diving Lessons by Erik Forsell

Matthew Boyd is the Director of Photography for Love Song.