Bi-Curious me is a documentary film that follows three women coming to terms with changes in their sexuality and exploring same-sex relationships. It follows multiple stories of women who are either experimenting with their sexuality or how they live as bisexual. The doc interviews families and friends of the contributors too.
Bi-curious me is a stand alone film made by the production company Rare Day. The film aired on Channel 4 and received mixed reviews:
No amount of shimmying burlesque dancers, however, could liven up what was essentially dull television. The programme followed three women who were exploring same-sex relationships, with most of the focus on a beautiful young woman torn between a boyfriend, a girlfriend, and a life of untrammelled sexual adventure. Did she love the boyfriend? Did he love her? Would she go home with the girl in the bar? Would I stay awake long enough to find out?
Moving documentaries can be woven from the complex fibres of modern relationships – as anything from BBC Two’s Wonderland series testifies – but this was not one of them. The only real stab of sympathy I felt was for a man called Andrew. Not only did his wife leave him after 22 years of marriage, but he also received a damp, gravel-filled sock to the jaw in the form of her announcement on national TV that she preferred sleeping with women to men. - Ceri Radford
Despite reviews like this the film was one of channel 4's more diverse outputs covering sexuality, following a year of being one of the more diverse channels in 2012, 2013 saw Channel 4 eager to do the same.
However as the documentary only focuses on a few female bisexual people, it has a one-sided and further limited opinion/experience of bisexuality. Some of the interviewees are symbolising old stereotypes, for example one women dates a lot of different people. This is following the myth that bisexual people sleep around a lot. There isn't a bisexual man included or someone who is in a stable relationship either.
The film is suited to be aired on Channel 4 as it meets with the Channels remit specifically showing 'alternative views', being 'educational' and 'invest in high quality content'.
Locations for this doc include Burlesque bars, Strip clubs as well as the homes of contributors. All locations bar a few are in the Uk the others are in America and France. Within these locations the doc has great access to people who are just discovering their sexualities and others who have been living as Bisexual for years. One such women came out as Bi after having an affair with another women, the doc interviews both her and her husband of 22 years. I asked questions to the producer of Bi curious me, specifically how to find contributors and build trust with them.
How do you find contributors and then keep them on board with the project for a long period of time?
Do you have any advice on building trust with contributors?
Huge question! Depends on the project. We go through charities, government organisations, hospital trusts, online forums. It's important always to be honest, open, a friend to them if they need it, and being available to take calls at any time. It's being respectful of what they are going through and being as supportive as you can, without being intrusive. It's a privilege to be able to film someone and we never forget that.
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Overall from this I have learnt a lot about bisexuality, it's often something that is overlooked in media and documentaries however through both watching this doc and reading reviews for it I've come to learn more then I already knew. From this I've also learnt that this documentary also represents two oppositions of bisexuality and while that is ok, it's important to acknowledge that not all bisexual/any one involved in a documentary about one subject, are the same.
From here I will use this research in my pre-production by trying to find a variety of locations that assist the story telling aspect of our documentary, each location in bi-curious me has a purpose and significance to the interviewee and that's something I'm keen to replicate. I will also be sure to keep in contact with contributors we have as they are sharing personal information about themselves with us they are likely to be unsure about filming, I'll have consistent communication for reassurance towards them.
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