Did anybody else happen to catch the PBS show, Independent Lens, this week? There was an hour long documentary entitled Men Who Swim, and I must say it was one of the best things I have seen on TV in years, and the best documentary since Sherman's March. Funny, poignant, and beautifully filmed, especially the underwater stuff.
I almost didn't watch it because the topic seemed self-consciously whacky: a group of Swedish guys approaching 40 who decide to start what they believe is the first (and only) male synchronized swimming team.
You can see some clips that the director posted here: www.directorsnotes.com/.../
I suspect it might be available, too, for watching in its entirety on the pbs website.
Anyhow, I think it really captures what so many of us forumites seem to love about the swimming community in general--the friendships we make, the laughs we get to share, and a reassuring sense of camaraderie as we all approach the aging process together.
Two erect thumbs straight up!
there was a swedish comedy from 2008 too called "Allt flyter"
www.imdb.com/.../
This was a documentary made by director Dylan Williams.
It sounds like Allt Flyter was more of a fictional movie, though it's hard to imagine the two directors don't know about each other's efforts (and perhaps even wonder if the other is a plagiarist!)
Ryan, are you Swedish or an immigrant to Sweden? If the latter, the movie makes the point that it can be hard to make friends in Sweden if you aren't born there, but that the best route for doing so is to "join a club"--which is precisely what filmmaker Williams decides to do at the outset of his documentary.
All in all, a very charming glimpse into the search for meaning, friendship, and -- to a much lesser extent, exercise! -- in middle aged men.
I can definitely relate.
there was a swedish comedy from 2008 too called "Allt flyter"
www.imdb.com/.../
This was a documentary made by director Dylan Williams.
It sounds like Allt Flyter was more of a fictional movie, though it's hard to imagine the two directors don't know about each other's efforts (and perhaps even wonder if the other is a plagiarist!)
Ryan, are you Swedish or an immigrant to Sweden? If the latter, the movie makes the point that it can be hard to make friends in Sweden if you aren't born there, but that the best route for doing so is to "join a club"--which is precisely what filmmaker Williams decides to do at the outset of his documentary.
All in all, a very charming glimpse into the search for meaning, friendship, and -- to a much lesser extent, exercise! -- in middle aged men.
I can definitely relate.
