Kara Swisher

Recent Posts by Kara Swisher

"Catfish": The Other Facebook Movie Speaks Real Truths About the Social Network (Plus Video!)

Last night, BoomTown attended a press screening of a new film, due out this fall, in which Facebook plays a big role.

No, not that movie.

Instead of a semi-fictional film–that would be “The Social Network” from Sony (SNE)–this one is a documentary, called “Catfish,” about a man who has a real-life encounter of the you-could-not-make-this-up kind on Facebook.

I won’t give away the particulars, except to say it shows the range of human emotions that social networking engenders, from desperation and loneliness to serendipity and hope for love.

Here is the description of the movie, being released by Universal Pictures, which got a lot of attention at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year:

In late 2007, filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost sensed a story unfolding and began to film the life of Ariel’s brother, Nev. Nev, a 24-year-old New York City photographer, was contacted on Facebook by Abby, an eight-year-old girl who asked permission to paint one of his photographs. After she sent him her remarkable painting, Nev began an online friendship with Abby and her family, eventually falling in love with her older sister, Megan. When Nev uncovered some startling revelations about Megan, the boys set off on a road trip to find out the truth.

Nev, Ariel and Henry had no idea that their project would turn into the most exhilarating and unsettling months of their lives. A reality thriller, CATFISH centers on a riveting mystery that is a product of our times, where social networking, mobile devices and electronic communication so often replace face-to-face contact. The film is a powerful story of love, deception, and grace within a labyrinth of online intrigue.

And here’s the video of the trailer for “Catfish,” to get a taste:

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