There are numerous people out in social media land that are curious or perhaps obsessed with finding their double and social media is the engine that stokes it all.
In the documentary “Doppelgängers” are further explored through the experiences of 6 individuals. And through a doppelgänger historian and psychologist some reasons for the rising popularity of doppelgänging are given.
But first what is a doppelgänger? One definition is that it is a non biological twin.
Do doppelgängers have anything in common other than looking similar? A personality test can assist in this determination and amongst the 6 individuals exact similarities were not present but proximate ones may be. It is the mere connection of meeting a double, as another in the flesh human being, that can spark a friendship more than having identical looks. You have met a lookalike so what a reason for furthering that into a friendship which is what all 6 individuals in the documentary walk away with.
Doppelgängers from a mythical and folklore perspective are often evil seeking to “take over” another human being.
Why doppelgäng? For the 6 individuals in the documentary some wanted the sibling they never had or a sibling that died at a young age so they never had the chance to grow up with. Wanting now what they never could have. It can be an instant connection into intimacy, trust and a family they never had. Could it be the enforced isolation wrought by COVID added fuel to the doppelgänger fad or is it social media that made connecting to your doppelgänger easier? Is it a hobby, addiction or obsession or a combination of three and which the documentary does not discuss.
A rather light and fluffy documentary but very worthy of a rubberneck view without any messy carnage. A 90 Day Fiancé fantasy voyage!
Written and directed by Deborah Wainright.
“Doppelgängers: Face to Face” premiers on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “The Passionate Eye” on 18October on CBC Gem and CBC TV at 20:00 hours.
RKS 2023 Film Rating 82/100.
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