Facebook romance.
Yaniv Schulman, or "Nev," a 24-year-old photographer from New York, meets beautiful Megan Faccio on Facebook, and an online romance blossoms-- until everything suddenly feels weird, suspicious, and strange.
Catfish follows the true story of Nev, documented by his brother Ariel and friend Henry Joost, that began when Nev was remotely befriended by Abby, an 8-year-old gifted painter from Michigan, who sends him painting versions of his photographs. Nev eventually became close to Abby's family, especially to the model-like sister Megan, through technology. And we follow Nev and Megan's budding relationship-- until the three friends decide, that from their filmmaking gig in Vail, Colorado, to take a detour and drive to Ishpeming, Michigan to finally meet the family in person. And the shocking truth is revealed to all of us.
Selected at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, the hit documentary became a controversy, with critics questioning its authenticity. The filmmakers deny the film as a hoax, and it's no surprise to me-- as the tiniest flicker of emotions in the eyes, the voice, and the split-second moments can never be replicated even by the most natural, exceptionally talented actors nor can it ever be directed by a genius director. And as the cliche goes, truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
Catfish is an engaging narrative; fast-paced, funny, and heartbreaking; a sad, disturbing, haunting story, touching on the dark, sensitive areas of our reality, and the universal effects of social media.
And after watching the film, you'll definitely find yourself Googling. And searching on Facebook.
And please, do not search for spoilers before watching the film.
The PEx post
The trailer:
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