The series 'Thirteen Reasons Why' does not bring new news: the institute is hell. It has already been shown by 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' in teaching that landscape as an averno and using supernatural elements as a metaphor for teenager anxieties. At least Buffy did not have to deal with the monster of social networks, with a society in which the digital 'I' is being cultivated rather than empathy.In this new landscape is developed 'Thirteen Reasons Why', in 2007 a young best-seller of Jay Asher and now new success of Netflix. In the series, the shy Clay (Dylan Minnette) receives a box with a handful of cassettes engraved by his until recently companion (and object of love) Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), who recently took his own life.
In the cassettes, which Clay must listen to and, as instructed, move on to another comrade, he relates (on a reason by face) the motives that led to his suicide. There are 13 reasons and 13 culprits, including Clay himself. The series thus moves in a blurry terrain between drama and suspense, equally interested in explaining characters and revealing mysteries.
With Selena Gómez in credits as a producer, an attractive visual style and attractive distribution, 'Thirteen reasons Why' could be the most effective 'anti-bullying' campaign ever designed. Netflix does not make public their numbers, but the street speaks: the phenomenon is clear, especially among teenagers. It is they who recommend the series to the elders, also represented in a fiction that not only dedicates their time (and their empathy) to students, but also to parents and teachers.
The interpretation that has attracted the most attention is that of Katherine Langford as Hannah Baker, the girl who shakes Liberty High with her beauty but also her attitude. As you will discover, entering into the aesthetic canon in force does not avoid problems: it only changes the set of prejudices, dangers and obstacles that you have to face.
It is quite incredible to think that until recently, Langford had hardly seen a camera. Before getting the female lead role for 'Thirteen reasons Why' she had just shot a short film, 'Daughter', screened at Cannes last year. He took the test for the series via Skype from Australia, and upon being enrolled, had 10 days to obtain an O-1 visa, that is, one for people with extraordinary skills in science, arts, education, business or athletics.
Langford has extraordinary abilities, it is clear in the series: a magnificent American accent, knows how to communicate feelings with a look ... Many young spectators can not hear the name "Hannah Baker" without shedding some tear.
Let's see her and hear about her. Next year will come the film version of 'Yo, Simon, homo sapiens', another teen bestseller. She will be Simon's best friend, a secretly gay boy whose orientation could be unveiled by the class jester.