While Chinese actors and actresses are complaining about the mid-life crisis and losing their jobs at an older age, European and American actors and actresses are once again enjoying a small peak in their careers thanks to the theme of old age. After a series of events such as marital crisis, career crisis, cancer and so on, the former Oscar-winning actor once again stood on the podium of mainstream awards. And such a story might be slightly similar to Sandy Kominsky.
Recently, a U.S. drama called The Kominsky Theory has become a hot topic of discussion. The story is about Sandy Kominsky, a popular acting coach, and his best friend, Norman, as they support each other and **** together in their fight against aging, death, and other issues.
The show won Best Drama in the Musical Comedy category at the just-concluded Golden Globes, and veteran actor Michael Douglas won the Comedy Television Award for his role as Sandy.
The Kominsky Theory is a warm comedy on the subject of old age, which shows us an alternative senior life, warm but not chicken soup, humorous but also thought-provoking. More importantly, it broadens the boundaries of realistic themes.
The Kominsky Theory:
The Philosophy of Life for the Elderly
Imagine what you will become when you get old. Do you dance every day and listen to the health lessons? Or will you continue to worry about your grandchildren? This idea may represent the "stereotype" of some young people towards the elderly.
There are a lot of old people, but they have gradually become a "marginalized group" in society. Especially in the domestic film and television entertainment industry, the role of the elderly is often an accessory to the lives of young people, is a pass. They either play the "villain" in the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, or they are the loving figures who revolve around their children. For example, in the TV series Happy Family, the father of the house, who wakes up early every morning to buy food for his family and wait in line, is a typical representative of this type of image.
But The Kominsky Theory is different in that it takes two old men, Sandy and Norman, as its protagonists, and presents them as independent individuals in their old age and even those difficult changes in one's twilight years.
In his work, Sandy is "out of touch" with young people's ideas, and his students are more concerned with making a good shampoo commercial than pursuing the great ideals he talks about. And physically, they have to deal with all the problems that come with aging, worrying about prostate problems because of frequent trips to the bathroom, being overwhelmed by dating, and even worrying about their whole body falling apart every time they laugh. ...... The screenwriters use self-deprecating humor to show their philosophy of life.
In The Kominsky Theory, Sandy and Norman's lives are not centered on their families and children; they have jobs, as well as love and friendship. In the two men's daily fights, there are often flashes of life's wisdom, such as how they define pain and how they define death, and these words are perhaps equally relevant to people of any age.
In fact, in the UK, the US, Japan and Korea, there are countless TV dramas like The Kominsky Theory that reflect the life and psychology of the elderly from different perspectives and on different topics.
While there have been TV dramas like "Dear Them" (a remake of the Korean drama "My Dear Friends") that have tested the waters of geriatrics, there is room for improvement in terms of both quantity and dimension. Compared to British and American dramas, our TV market is also lacking in more vivid and independent portrayals of the elderly.
Is there no market for older adult dramas?
Young viewers don't like it?
The reason why older subjects are neglected may also be that in this youth-dominated entertainment market, stories about older people are not popular with young people. But is this really the case?
The fact that The Kominsky Theory was not only renewed for a second season, but stood on the Golden Globes stage, is a testament to the mainstream public's acceptance of it. The 12.36 percent ratings for "Penultimate Love" could also be laughed off the winter season. My Dear Friends also reaped a double harvest of ratings and word-of-mouth after airing.
Although the elderly theme mainly shows the life of the elderly, but as long as you find the right way of expression, you can also get a wider audience. Like the domestic drama "Hey, Old Man!
Older dramas are not just for older viewers, and the topic of marriage discussed in "Countdown to Love" is one that young people are anxious about: the nature of life is loneliness, and you shouldn't get married to get rid of loneliness. Nemesis: Betty and Jones" is more of a Hollywood courtroom drama, restoring the protracted battles between two of history's biggest stars and the flavors of their lives after they passed away, while also concealing a discussion of actors and women's rights.
As China's aging process accelerates, the elderly have become an important group that society cannot ignore. According to relevant data survey, as of the end of 2016, China's elderly population aged 60 and above exceeded 230 million, accounting for 16.7% of the total population; the elderly population aged 65 and above exceeded 150 million, accounting for 10.8% of the total population. The huge elderly population is actually providing a rich creative inspiration and audience market for movie and TV dramas.