When you are a 56-yr-old single woman, yes a man with a pulse is a good start! And it helps to keep your sense of humor.
I have been a fan of Apted's "UP" series ever since I discovered it and saw the first several over a short time period a few years ago. Since then I have found myself anticipating the next 7 years to see how the participants are doing and how their lives are changing. And to reflect on my own life, how it has been changing.
This all started about 50 years ago when Apted was a young man and was given the suggestion to do something with 7-yr-old British kids, but in a totally different concept. Somewhere along the line, he came upon the idea of filming them every 7 years and that has turned out to be a great theme. Some have dropped out, at least one drop-out has re-joined, and in his honesty says it was to gain additional publicity for his band which seems to be gaining in popularity. Plus participants are paid, although Apted has not yet stated how much. Still I feel certain it is a nice sum, and who wouldn't welcome that every few years.
One of the big events since "49 UP" was the global recession, and several of the participants discuss its effect on them. Plus in general there are several comments criticizing the direction politicians are taking the country.
It is refreshing, though, to see so many of them aging gracefully, being happy in their advancing ages, avoiding dwelling on what might have been if they had made different choices. Pretty much what you would expect from any slice of society.
There was a brief conversation with Tony, the one who as a young boy wanted to be a jockey but ended up being a London cab driver, that caught my attention. Tony was complaining about all the foreigners that have moved into his East London over the years, "They never asked any of us our opinions." When Apted suggested Tony's views might be considered "racist" Tony objected loudly. But consider, Tony and his family have a vacation home in Spain, they are doing to Spain what the other foreigners are doing to his East London. In reality Tony does have at least mild racist views, as many people do, but he doesn't even recognize that.
Always an interesting series, the most recent installment, filmed in early 2012, is a winner.
I have been a fan of Apted's "UP" series ever since I discovered it and saw the first several over a short time period a few years ago. Since then I have found myself anticipating the next 7 years to see how the participants are doing and how their lives are changing. And to reflect on my own life, how it has been changing.
This all started about 50 years ago when Apted was a young man and was given the suggestion to do something with 7-yr-old British kids, but in a totally different concept. Somewhere along the line, he came upon the idea of filming them every 7 years and that has turned out to be a great theme. Some have dropped out, at least one drop-out has re-joined, and in his honesty says it was to gain additional publicity for his band which seems to be gaining in popularity. Plus participants are paid, although Apted has not yet stated how much. Still I feel certain it is a nice sum, and who wouldn't welcome that every few years.
One of the big events since "49 UP" was the global recession, and several of the participants discuss its effect on them. Plus in general there are several comments criticizing the direction politicians are taking the country.
It is refreshing, though, to see so many of them aging gracefully, being happy in their advancing ages, avoiding dwelling on what might have been if they had made different choices. Pretty much what you would expect from any slice of society.
There was a brief conversation with Tony, the one who as a young boy wanted to be a jockey but ended up being a London cab driver, that caught my attention. Tony was complaining about all the foreigners that have moved into his East London over the years, "They never asked any of us our opinions." When Apted suggested Tony's views might be considered "racist" Tony objected loudly. But consider, Tony and his family have a vacation home in Spain, they are doing to Spain what the other foreigners are doing to his East London. In reality Tony does have at least mild racist views, as many people do, but he doesn't even recognize that.
Always an interesting series, the most recent installment, filmed in early 2012, is a winner.