New RTL streaming series for contemporary males: "Softies"
Let's dove-tail into "Softies," the modern drama-comedy gracing RTL+ since June 6
This series revolves around three twenty-something men grappling with their identities – love lives, career pressures, and self-acceptance – all while living under the same roof. The trio, aptly named Marvin, Hassan, and Joshi, are portrayed by Damian Hardung, Samir Salim, and Oskar Redfern respectively. On paper, these guys have it made, with women tripping over themselves to love them. But things aren't always shiny and rosy; one grapples with mental health issues, another struggles with body image, while the third numbs his relationship fears with alcohol.
When feelings aren't on the menu, what's the alternative?
Instead of talking through their issues, they stumble upon ways to tackle them: Viagra, drug trips, one-night stands, dating coaches with cheesy pick-up lines, you name it.
It's a tad murky what "Softies" intends to accomplish in the beginning. The title, the characters in pink onesies, and the cheesy expressions cloud the series' intent – satire or endorsement of stereotypes, pink symbolizing something soft equals weak?
The brevity of the five 20-minute episodes only treads the waters of the multifaceted issue of masculinity (due to time limitations), leaving the characters relatively static. It isn't until the final episode that the trio opens up, giving us peeks into their raw emotions.
A brainchild of film students
The concept for this young adult series stemmed from last year's RTL+ "Storytellers" competition for aspiring film students to envision a series for the youth. "Softies" was the brainchild of the writing-directing duo, Jonathan Westphal and Yves Guillaume, from the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, and was selected from over 80 submissions by a panel of judges.
In an interview with "Quotenmeter.de," director Yves Guillaume expressed that "Softies" aims to motivate young men to embrace their emotions and discuss them with friends, thereby setting itself apart from the stereotypical portrayals we're accustomed to. "We want to show that men can be sensitive and create an entertaining alternative," Guillaume said.
According to a 2023 survey by Plan International, the majority of 18-35-year-olds in Germany feel vulnerable when expressing their feelings. Nearly 6 out of 10 admit they exercise to maintain a masculine physique, often resorting to unhealthy fixations. Thus, it seems "Softies" strikes a chord with the male Gen Z.
A deeper dive
Some analyses suggest that "Softies" makes a poignant statement on traditionally rigid male stereotypes, positing softness or emotional openness as a healthy alternative. By choosing to focus on the vulnerability of its characters, the series could be seen as subverting conventional masculine norms, ultimately undermining these age-old stereotypes. Nonetheless, without in-depth reviews or expert commentary, a definitive judgment is hard to reach.
- The series, "Softies," delves into the realm of health-and-wellness, as one character grapples with mental health issues.
- As the series unravels, it becomes clear that mens-health is a significant focus, with another character struggling with body image.
- Beyond the realms of science and career pressures, the show also explores lifestyle choices, as the third character numbs his relationship fears with alcohol.
- In the world of fashion-and-beauty, the trio's appearances are a stark contrast, with pink onesies symbolizing their emotional vulnerability, challenging traditional perceptions of strength.
- The show, a brainchild of film students, aims to break traditional family-dynamics by encouraging discussion of emotions, as per the words of director Yves Guillaume, which resonates with the love-and-dating experiences and relationships of the male Gen Z, while entertainment and satire intertwine to create an engaging narrative.
