Several readers sent me a link to this video, which has gotten over 22 million views since it was posted only 2 days ago! It’s about as viral as a video can get.
You might notice two things: the “strangers” are rather more attractive than “average” people, and they also osculate with unusual fervor. That’s because, according to a piece in Slate, they are professionals used to being before the camera, although they are indeed strangers:
Actually, it’s an advertisement for clothes, and most of these strangers are professional performers who are experienced in acting out love, sex, and intimacy for crowds. The cast includes models Natalia Bonifacci, Ingrid Schram, and Langley Fox (daughter of actress Mariel Hemingway and sister of model Dree); musicians Z Berg of The Like, Damian Kulash of OK Go, Justin Kennedy of Army Navy, singer Nicole Simone, and singer-actress Soko (who also performed the melancholy indie music that accompanies the short); and actors Karim Saleh, Matthew Carey, Jill Larson, Corby Griesenbeck, Elisabetta Tedla, Luke Cook, and Marianna Palka. Is it really unexpectedly touching that when gorgeous and charismatic Italian models, French actors, indie band leaders, and Hollywood royalty get together to kiss one another—under a soundtrack that prompts, “If you’re not ready for love, how can you be ready for life?”—the results are “beautiful”?
So there is a bit of true-life-ness in the film, but not as much as the viewers might think. Like the author of the Slate piece, I’d love to see this done with regular people, although people might not be willing to kiss a stranger who is unattractive to them.
haha “can we make out more”
I’ll pass.
Me too.
Ditto.
Kind of reminds me of “Pretty Woman” where Laura San Giacomo’s character gives advice to Julia Roberts to avoid kissing the john because it’s too intimate and you’ll fall in love.
A bit of uncomfortable, nerve wrenching-ness in the beginning. But it was mostly a lot of unexpected tenderness too. Good for humans.
Love and you shall receive…
Not quite kissing strangers, but a photographic exhibit by Richard Renaldi posted 6 days ago in a San Fran art magazine Juxtapoz called “Touching Strangers”.
Now kiss!
Ah mantis religiosa, que linda.
un beso pequeñisimo!
I watched this yesterday and thought it odd that everyone was attractive and rather youthful as well. Now I see it was a big set up! Ha! Must’ve been my “other way of knowing”.
A reprise and as popular as the original, “The Kiss” (1896) (b&w silent), which started the demand for censorship.
I wouldn’t mind kissing a total stranger…if I get to pick him. ha ha
Maybe start by holding hands! – like this bus stop in Montreal
http://tinyurl.com/qzs7vxe
Examining the Possible Functions of Kissing in Romantic Relationships
“Recent research suggests that romantic kissing may be utilized in human sexual relationships to evaluate aspects of a potential mate’s suitability, to mediate feelings of attachment between pair-bonded individuals, or to facilitate arousal and initiate sexual relations…. The findings of this research showed very little evidence to support the hypothesis that the primary function of kissing is to elevate levels of arousal.”
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-013-0190-1
PS I thought this was going to be about Triatominae!
(kissing bugs…!)_
If someone approached me in the street to take part in something like this, I would take up the offer without much hesitation.
Haven’t you ever met a stranger at a party and had the overwhelming desire to give him or her (her, in my case) a tender hug and a kiss. I suppose there’s a sexual element to this, but what you are after is the tender hug and the kiss.
A complete stranger with whom you’ve made a deeply emotional but transitory connection. You could be complete misfits in real life, but you’ve come together in heart and soul in a brief moment of time.
TRUE story:
Time – lunchtime / present day, sorta: last early autumn ‘fore this stat – past wintertime; we all nearly ended w / the hour’s gastronomical prehension
Venue – by its workplace occupants affectionately known as “ the Front Porch, ” Dean’s building
Event – Fall Term y2013’s and graduate students’ “ welcoming ” bbq
Costuming – silver and black Evolvefish emblem of fish w feet = worn .daily. for years’ and years’ worth as necklace ( as some do … … wearing a cross or a star or whateveh emblem ) but, apparently, “ just noticed ” circa my neck this particular midday
Dean’s secretary, loudly and gesturingly to All present: “ O NO ! What IS that, Blue ? ! How could you NOT have on your neck the proper fish symbol ? ! R.e.a.l.l.y., Blue. Get rid of that one. That is so NOT how it should be.
I ! I will get you a correct one, Blue ! O, l.o.s.e. that one ! Today ! That one is NOT … .. ( wait for it … ) “ THE .RIGHT. ONE ! ”
Without two seconds’ time slipping by, thus RIGHT BACK at All present from Blue: “ O NO ! You will NOT. This ?! This one ? ! This IS the proper one. This IS the correct one. The Right Fish. ”
Her: “Wha’ ? Wha’ ’re y’ saying, Blue ? ! ”
Me: “Well, … … Woman: this fish ? This correct fish symbol is of … … The Ancients. Long, long, long … … such a LONG time before ANY religions’ worth of people glommed on to it and took it apart and reconstructed it as theirs ! As their own symbol. LONG before that ever happened, this one WAS and IS THE symbol of The Ancients … … The Ones Who Knew The Truth of How Things Are. And Came to Be. It is THE symbol of The Ancients’ survival. Even, actually, … … of their prosperity, ___ Her Name ___. ”
Her / Others: “Huh ? !” Dean’s secretary’s countenance on her face just then: One of , “ O dear ? ! Could Blue be right ? ! Surely NOT. Surely Blue is NOT right. … … Is she ? ! ”
Pan to … … ALL w / Dead Silence – demeanors. Including … … the Dean’s.
Evolvefish worn daily since — as well, of course, in the setting of … … The Academy,
Blue