04/11/2008
We all have reflective thoughts. Just the other day it was raining real heavy as I got off the train. So I stood underneath the platform shelter and rolled a cigarette, watching the passengers clear off the platform and go home to marital bliss and 2-point-4 children; shepherd’s pie or a night in front of the TV with a bottle of Grappa and a Chinese Takeaway; maybe he’s a junkie, maybe he has a severed head in his freezer and she’s on Prozac and lives with 30 cats. See? Reflective thinking.
It’s this kind of self-reflection that inspired ‘What About Me?’ a new series of documentaries from 1 Giant Leap, the global philosophy and music concept behind the double Grammy nominated Unity Through Diversity.
Through music and film, 1 Giant Leap explores the universal concept of human nature; what makes the world and the people and the birds and the bees tick, tick-along and tick-over. Jamie Catto (Faithless co-founder) and Duncan Bridgeman set out on a four year global journey, collecting the philosophy and wisdom of thinkers, writers, entertainers and the people of over 50 countries along the way.
Because of the extent of their journey, viewers are given a rare insight into the feelings and thoughts of a diverse range of cultures. As preview clips of the documentary prove, it’s a mesmerizing study into the human mind from right across the spectrum. Our eccentricities, desires, beliefs, insanities, depressions and personal journeys; of the impact of an unhappy childhood or the shallowness of love. And that’s just for starters!
The series of documentaries were totally unscripted, Catto and Bridgeman capturing snippets of their studies thoughts along the way. From Noam Chomsky, Bob Geldof and Tim Robbins - to a tribal woman in Africa and an ostracized gay man in America, no stone is left unturned.
The music for the show was conceived of an original backing track which grew as the documentary progressed. For each location visited the music develops, with different layers being added by different musicians. REM’S Michael Stipe, Alanis Morissette, Maxi Jazz, Carlos Santana, Chinese rappers and Gabonese Pygmies, are just a few of those to contribute. As Jamie Catto explains: “We’re on a mission to make self-reflection hip for just a moment, just long enough to save us.” Planet Notion’s thinking he might just have succeeded.
The first episode of ‘What About Me’ starts on Channel 4, Thursday 6th November at 12.30am. For further information and to see clips from the show visit whataboutme.tv
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