Watch Parallel the Documentary
- 2016
- 36 min
Parallel the Documentary is a fascinating exploration of the world of alternative culture and subcultures in the United States. Directed by Isaac Hertz, the documentary delves deep into the lives of people who embrace a divergent way of life and shows us how they live, struggle, and thrive in a world that often marginalizes and ignores them.
The film is presented to us through interviews, personal stories, and compelling footage of several subcultures. From tattoo artists to modern witches, radical queers to body modification enthusiasts, viewers are taken on a journey through a multitude of subcultures that are often feared, misunderstood, or ridiculed. Through personal stories, we come to understand the motivations behind peopleâs choices as to why they choose to live outside of mainstream society.
The film does a great job of presenting both the joys and challenges of living within these subcultures. One of the standout subjects in the documentary is Betty Dobson, a body modification enthusiast who has transformed herself into a reptilian creature through painful and extensive body modifications. Her story is a poignant exploration of the lengths people will go to be true to themselves, and the challenges they face as a result of their choices.
Another standout subject is Resin Rebel, an artist who has built a career on creating custom-made, handmade high heels from resin. This segment of the documentary is particularly insightful, as we learn how alternative communities often create supportive ecosystems where people can thrive and find acceptance.
B. Danielle Watkins, a black queer feminist activist, also plays a prominent role in the film. She speaks about her experiences with intersectionality, and how her identity as a black person, a queer person, and a feminist inform her activism. Her story is a powerful reminder of how intersectionality is essential to understanding the complexity of individual identity, and how it affects every aspect of our lives.
Throughout the documentary, we also meet a number of other fascinating and inspiring characters. From the tattoo artist who specializes in covering up scars to the radical queer who creates their own gender identity to the modern witch who performs magical ritual ceremonies, the film is a kaleidoscope of multi-faceted personalities.
Parallel the Documentary is a powerful film that sheds light on the world of alternative culture and subcultures. It is a film that celebrates individuality and the power of self-expression, and an important reminder that we all deserve to be seen and heard, regardless of how different or divergent we may be from the norm.
Overall, the documentary is incredibly inspiring and insightful, and itâs a must-watch for anyone interested in the complexities of human identity and the power of creative self-expression. Itâs a reminder that there is beauty in diversity, and that it is possible to create a world where everyone can be their true and authentic selves.