Tuesday 17 January 2017

REVIEW: As We Are

As We Are is a new online TV series, exploring life for young LGBT people in Brighton and Hove. The first series was released towards the end of last year, in short, easy to enjoy episodes. As We Are was created by Deborah Espect, an award-winning writer who also acts as director and producer on the series. Espect first decided to write the series after watching lesbian characters in TV series continually being killed off. This led to the creation of a series where the main characters happen to be gay women and aren't punished for it by the narrative.

As We Are features a number of prominent LGBT writers, performers and activists both on screen and behind the scenes. It tells the story of Chloe, a young woman who agrees to flatsit for her dreadful ex-girlfriend because someone will need to look after the cat. The cat's much nicer than her ex, so it's fair enough. There she strikes up a friendship with Blake, the gent living in the flat above, who just happens to be transgender. Their friendship leads to Chloe facing her preconceptions, especially as she becomes more attracted to Blake.




If this all sounds like it could be extremely preachy and hard-going, rest assured it's not. We follow Chloe and Blake through drinks, dates and cat hunts, and the series' philosophy is kept very conversational. Actress and comedian Jenny Harrold plays Chloe, opposite artist, film-maker and trans activist Fox Fisher as Blake, both of whom give strong, realistic and likeable performances. There's a wealth of talent on screen, with award-winning performers appearing even in very brief roles.

As We Are has serious things to say but doesn't take itself too seriously, and finds plenty of opportunity to poke fun at how painfully Brightonian it is. (Trina, played by Sarah Charsley, is probably the most Brightonian person ever committed to film.) It's good fun for those of us in the area to see some well-known haunts on the screen, as well as well-known types of people, and anyone who's been involved in the Pride and LGBT scene, or the Brighton Fringe, will likely recognise a few faces. If you  have an interest in LGBT life, or just enjoy a light-hearted drama, it's definitely worth your time.

You can watch As We Are and read about its cast and creators here. If you enjoy it and want to help it continue, crowdfunding for series two will begin soon.

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