Th3m is a good example of indie media — and of an independent media maker – forging a new path. The project, a TV pilot that works as a short film and as a web series, plays out a bit like something akin to less glossy, more inclusive version of The L Word or Lovers and Friends. The story of several friends (most of them African American) living, loving and working through their issues, it’s a sexy, lo-fi production that serves to introduce the world to filmmaker Tye Green.
We begin with a shot of Nicole (Constance Anderson),lying in bed with her wife, Cameron, (played by Mysnikol Miller), staring up at the ceiling. “It never fails. Just as I’m about to drift off to sleep, words start dancing in my mind.” She gets up and goes to her nearby computer, and starts typing, dear-diary style. She’s fed up – unhappy in her relationship, feeling under appreciated and, frankly, bored.
Cameron finally lures her back to bed, beginning one of the many love scenes. The film is peppered with them – complete with delicious lighting and music. But it’s never just about sex – Cameron and Nicole argue right after their lovemaking, and it’s evident that Cameron is feeling just as unhappy as her partner.
We meet the two party animals, Traci (Chantel Sings) and Jasmine (Bethany Ford) at a bar, discussing recent conquests. Both women are bisexual (though that doesn’t come into play much in the pilot), gorgeous and successful. Jasmine is involved with a married woman, a point that comes back to bite her in the proverbial rear quite quickly.
As much as she’s a player, Jasmine is loyal to her best friend and roommate, Ali (Tana Matthews). Ali is quiet yet ambitious — a butch woman who dreams of starting a clothing line aimed at the LGBT community, a goal she and Jasmine are working towards. Things get complicated when her girlfriend comes on to Jasmine – blatantly – and Ali walks in at an inopportune moment.
Our introduction to Toni (Tish Jones) and Robbi (Elle Richards) comes when we find them in bed with another woman. A happy couple with a penchant for group sex, they’re among the most immediately fun and likeable characters in the film. However, like everyone else, they have issues. Robbi fears that all of Toni’s fooling around is getting in the way of their relationship. Worse, she fears that race is playing a part – she’s scared that Toni won’t marry her because she is white.
Speaking of issues – Cameron and Nicole’s relationship becomes even more strained when their teenaged son expresses concern over his birth mother’s sexuality. He asks if Cameron could “stay in the closet” on parent-teacher night, and earnestly asks Nicole if she’ll ever go back to men.
This sequence is handled a bit clumsily, which leads to Th3m’s biggest problem – some uneven writing and acting. All of the leads are excellent, but the supporting players are very hit-or-miss. This is especially the case with Madison, Ali’s unfaithful girlfriend. Her attempted seduction of Jasmine feels “staged,” as does the conversation between Nicole and her son. That some scenes feel forced is unfortunate, because the drama behind them is coming from a very real — and a very raw – place.
On the whole, however, Th3m comes together despite the hiccups. There’s a lot going on here – we’re introduced to six main characters, their aspirations, their flaws and their very complex relationships, along with a slew of heavy issues, as the film tackles everything from internalized homophobia to infidelity to issues within interracial relationships. It’s tough to pack that into 45 minutes, but Green and crew have largely delivered.
The best judge of any pilot is in whether it makes the viewer want more. It’s incredibly successful in this regard – the viewer is left wondering about Robbi and Toni, curious about Jasmine and Ali’s friendship, and left hanging about whether Cameron and Nicole can get it together. It’s easy to project the trajectory of some of the hinted-at elements — Jasmine’s bisexuality, she and Ali’s business, Nicole’s career as a writer, Traci’s music career, and so on – these are interesting characters with rich interior lives. One hopes that Th3m will continue so that we can go along for the ride.
The soundtrack is phenomenal throughout – R and B, hip-hop and dance are well represented, and it’s clear that the filmmakers are incredibly passionate about music. This is reflected in the characters themselves – three of our leads are musicians – and in the storyline, which culminates in an open mic competition. Chantel Sings has her (remarkably accurate) name all over the music credits, and seriously deserves to be the next big pop/R and B artist in America, right up there with Rhianna, Lady Gaga and Mary J. Blige.
With this emphasis on music, it’s no surprise to note that that Green is a poet. She’s put together a tight production — but the flow of the scenes (and the way that music weaves among them) is distinctly lyrical.
She rightfully deserves the title of “up and coming filmmaker” that’s splashed on the promotional materials. Green is absolutely one to watch – and so is Th3m. It may be rough in places, but the overall package is unique and rock-solid, as entertaining as it is undeniably sexy.
Watch the full episode here (warning: episode contains some NSFW material).
