Single? Female? Over 26? (Or 26 for the past five years now? ;) Don't worry; we'll use the honor system.) Want to make your voice heard?
If so, head on over to this questionnaire for single women from Michelle Cove, director of the forthcoming documentary film Seeking Happily Ever After. The questionnaire, which consists of just three short- (and sweet) answer questions, will be used to help Cove write a companion book, which she describes as "a feel-great guide to seeking your own happily-ever-after." It "will address the issues/concerns of being a single woman today that go beyond 'landing a husband,'" Cove says.
Seeking Happily Ever After doesn't have a release date yet, but Singletude is eagerly awaiting it. The trailer has already made a splash at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it was voted the Top-rated Trailer. Through interviews with familiar faces like Leslie Talbot (Singular Existence) and Jerusha Stewart (The Single Girl's Manifesta) and ordinary single gals over 30, the filmmakers ask why women are staying single in such unprecedented numbers and conclude that they can't be pigeonholed as either trailblazing feminists or desperate biological clock watchers. In a three-minute feature on the making of the film, Cove muses about the myth of the life lived "happily ever after" and how it can be reinterpreted by women creating their own happy endings. As she says in her bio, "The goal of this film is to challenge women to stop thinking about happily-ever-after in terms of princes and picket fences and get them to start thinking about what happiness looks like now for them as individuals--and how to get it."
In a world in which Sonia Sotomayor has replaced Cinderella as the role model for women, a documentary like this is poised to speak to a generation of females at just the right moment. Singletude can't wait for the reaction!
What are your thoughts on the Seeking Happily Ever After trailer? What does living "happily ever after" mean to you? Has that meaning changed since you were younger? What are some aspects of the single life that you would like to see the media address?
Fun Link of the Day
Do you have a question for Clever Elsie about some aspect of the single life? Have a rant or rave about singlehood? Write in, and you just might see your question in a Singletude Q&A or your rant or rave in a Singletude Sound-off!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Director of Seeking Happily Ever After Seeks Single Women for Book
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2 comments:
"The goal of this film is to challenge women to stop thinking about happily-ever-after in terms of princes and picket fences and get them to start thinking about what happiness looks like now for them as individuals--and how to get it."
Hurray and about time!
"What are your thoughts on the Seeking Happily Ever After trailer?"
I want you to get married when you are the best version of yourself
I think this woman's statement was the essence of the trailer to me. Although, it still places a tad much importance on marriage from her Mom.
"What does living "happily ever after" mean to you?"
After what? This is my first thought. I live happily when I'm happy with myself. If it's happily ever after, there must be a fairy tale involved ;)
"Has that meaning changed since you were younger?"
Well, yeah, I don't believe in fairy tales while as a kid, I did.
"What are some aspects of the single life that you would like to see the media address?"
Like the challenges I face when I fight racism or bigotry, I would like to see singles being treated just as fairly as a married couple would-the same benefits and rights. I'd like to see phrases like, "Don't worry, you'll find your partner and get married soon." etc disappear from this culture.
The media addressing single(s) issues would certainly help.
Bobby: Thanks for your feedback. It's great to get a man's perspective! I wish they'd make a documentary like this that focused more on men. Somewhere on the web site, they mentioned that men wanted to give their input, too, so I think it's a shame that these projects tend to exclude them.
I see what you mean about that line from the trailer. Good catch! I completely overlooked it. It suggests that marriage is the reward you get after you've finished working on yourself, which is kind of silly; marriage is not a reward, and I have yet to meet anyone who's achieved perfection.
I live happily when I'm happy with myself.
Love it!
To me, "happily ever after" has become meaningless because I don't see life as having a magical turning point after which you're home free. Problems are part of living.
I also would love to see the media address singlism. I think we're seeing a small movement in a positive direction, but it has yet to really snowball.
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