The first rule of Slap Club is...
June 25, 2014 4:49 PM Subscribe
Max Landis invited a bunch of strangers together (including Haley Joel Osment) and invited them to slap each other (behind the scenes).
Man, everyone is dressed so hip. Except for Haley Joe Osmet.
posted by KokuRyu at 4:55 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by KokuRyu at 4:55 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
There was a kiss one a while back. For whatever reason this one seemed much more natural and fun.
posted by kmz at 4:55 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by kmz at 4:55 PM on June 25, 2014
I thought it was cute - there was a suspiciously loud thud @ 2:53 which made me question the rest of the sound. Still, cute...
posted by not_that_epiphanius at 5:00 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by not_that_epiphanius at 5:00 PM on June 25, 2014
Oddly compelling. I liked the behind-the-scenes video for the extra context.
posted by Lexica at 5:01 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by Lexica at 5:01 PM on June 25, 2014
The kiss one a few months back left me feeling nauseous, what with all the model-attractive hip people making out. This is much more my speed.
posted by naju at 5:04 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by naju at 5:04 PM on June 25, 2014
The human face developed over 5m years of fisticuffs, scientists claim
posted by stbalbach at 5:04 PM on June 25, 2014 [7 favorites]
posted by stbalbach at 5:04 PM on June 25, 2014 [7 favorites]
The fact that they are overwhelmingly young and attractive puts a weird spin on this. But in a good way.
posted by Bookhouse at 5:10 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by Bookhouse at 5:10 PM on June 25, 2014
This is pretty great. I think it's how much fun everyone is having with it.
posted by vibratory manner of working at 5:10 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by vibratory manner of working at 5:10 PM on June 25, 2014
yeah, but only one of 'em really knew how to slap. hint: it's the backhand.
posted by k5.user at 5:20 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by k5.user at 5:20 PM on June 25, 2014
There was a kiss one a while back. For whatever reason this one seemed much more natural and fun.
Yes, isn't it great how violence is so much more palatable to us than intimacy.
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:38 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yes, isn't it great how violence is so much more palatable to us than intimacy.
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:38 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
I see Big Osment has gotten control of Metafilter too. It won't be long, my fine fellow, before you're laid low and spelling your name the way WE think it should be spelled.
posted by angerbot at 5:48 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by angerbot at 5:48 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
"Big" Osment is right, though I'm one to talk about weight. Still, I kinda like his look there, which seems to say, "ah, fuck it."
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 5:50 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 5:50 PM on June 25, 2014
Yes, isn't it great how violence is so much more palatable to us than intimacy.
The slapping seems like more genuinely unfeigned intimacy than the kissing, so, y'know, beats me.
posted by kenko at 5:52 PM on June 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
The slapping seems like more genuinely unfeigned intimacy than the kissing, so, y'know, beats me.
posted by kenko at 5:52 PM on June 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
This is an accurate depiction of life in Silver Lake.
posted by roger ackroyd at 6:14 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by roger ackroyd at 6:14 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yes, isn't it great how violence is so much more palatable to us than intimacy.
Not all pleasurable physical activities qualify as intimacy.
posted by phearlez at 6:15 PM on June 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
Not all pleasurable physical activities qualify as intimacy.
posted by phearlez at 6:15 PM on June 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
The Take Away: Beautiful people are hiding from you to be among their own kind, slapping the shit out of each other and loving it.
posted by Poppa Bear at 6:28 PM on June 25, 2014 [10 favorites]
posted by Poppa Bear at 6:28 PM on June 25, 2014 [10 favorites]
Not all pleasurable physical activities qualify as intimacy.
My money is that at least one couple hooked up after this.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:30 PM on June 25, 2014 [9 favorites]
My money is that at least one couple hooked up after this.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:30 PM on June 25, 2014 [9 favorites]
Perhaps, but the question was what we're observing, not what grew out of it. (hehe)
posted by phearlez at 6:36 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by phearlez at 6:36 PM on June 25, 2014
Greg_Ace: "Yes, isn't it great how violence is so much more palatable to us than intimacy."
Yeah, did you actually watch the videos? Because the "violence" is shocking, slightly painful contact without any aggression at all. The opposite of aggression, actually - everyone is giggling because it's so unnerving and forbidden to hit someone, even with their permission, and because it's just so weird to hurt someone on purpose without any dislike or heat to motivate it.
I found it much more intimate and less creepy than the kissing video, because the boundary negotiation is explicit and ongoing, and there was so much sweet reassurance that "we're still good, right?" after nearly every contact.
posted by gingerest at 6:40 PM on June 25, 2014 [14 favorites]
Yeah, did you actually watch the videos? Because the "violence" is shocking, slightly painful contact without any aggression at all. The opposite of aggression, actually - everyone is giggling because it's so unnerving and forbidden to hit someone, even with their permission, and because it's just so weird to hurt someone on purpose without any dislike or heat to motivate it.
I found it much more intimate and less creepy than the kissing video, because the boundary negotiation is explicit and ongoing, and there was so much sweet reassurance that "we're still good, right?" after nearly every contact.
posted by gingerest at 6:40 PM on June 25, 2014 [14 favorites]
The surprise slaps are the best slaps.
posted by ColdChef at 6:47 PM on June 25, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by ColdChef at 6:47 PM on June 25, 2014 [4 favorites]
I know that replying "yeah, you're all kind of proving my point" just sounds snarky; but, well...
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:06 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:06 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Max Landis is slightly older than me but every time I see him I am unsure whether he is the best or worst thing, whether he is very hipster (in a disparaging way) or very hipster in an unexpectedly positive way.
I guess my general conclusion thus far is that Max Landis is weird proof that my generation is going to be ok. We are going to be ok but the future has warped us, man.
Warped us good and well.
P.S. I haven't seen the originally kissing video but did find this oddly touching (ha!)
posted by sendai sleep master at 7:13 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
I guess my general conclusion thus far is that Max Landis is weird proof that my generation is going to be ok. We are going to be ok but the future has warped us, man.
Warped us good and well.
P.S. I haven't seen the originally kissing video but did find this oddly touching (ha!)
posted by sendai sleep master at 7:13 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
The most painful thing in the video was the wrong-hand handshake at 3:33.
posted by mullacc at 7:14 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by mullacc at 7:14 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
The funniest one is:
"Look behind you!" "NO!" "Look behind you!" *starts to turn head* SLAP
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 7:20 PM on June 25, 2014
"Look behind you!" "NO!" "Look behind you!" *starts to turn head* SLAP
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 7:20 PM on June 25, 2014
Previously: Kiss video FPP.
Kiss video re-shot without actors and models.
posted by mbrubeck at 7:22 PM on June 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Kiss video re-shot without actors and models.
posted by mbrubeck at 7:22 PM on June 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
The human face developed over 5m years of fisticuffs, scientists claim
Can other primates make fists and do this? It would be awesome if what actually separates us from the beasts is that we regularly punch each other in the face.
posted by XMLicious at 7:35 PM on June 25, 2014 [4 favorites]
They're neither doing it backhanded nor wearing big knobby rings. WTF?
posted by codswallop at 7:35 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by codswallop at 7:35 PM on June 25, 2014
"Wait, wait, wait! What if KRYPTO humps LOIS LANE'S LEG and he SNAPS IT OFF?" — Max Landis, right now probably (via Kevin Church's Twitter)
posted by straight at 7:35 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by straight at 7:35 PM on June 25, 2014
I know that replying "yeah, you're all kind of proving my point" just sounds snarky; but, well...
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:06 AM on June 26 [1 favorite +] [!]
By what? Being more comfortable with awkward interactions where consent and boundaries are set and updated throughout the interaction, as opposed to the other one where its obvious at several points that one or both parties has crossed a line into not-having-fun-anymore?
It has nothing to do with sex vs violence. It could have easily been the other way around. Except it wasn't.
posted by FirstMateKate at 7:41 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:06 AM on June 26 [1 favorite +] [!]
By what? Being more comfortable with awkward interactions where consent and boundaries are set and updated throughout the interaction, as opposed to the other one where its obvious at several points that one or both parties has crossed a line into not-having-fun-anymore?
It has nothing to do with sex vs violence. It could have easily been the other way around. Except it wasn't.
posted by FirstMateKate at 7:41 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Most of the slapping was jarring, but I loved that so many of them spontaneously hugged immediately afterwards.
posted by blurker at 7:48 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by blurker at 7:48 PM on June 25, 2014
Greg_Ace: "I know that replying "yeah, you're all kind of proving my point" just sounds snarky; but, well..."
I'm a lot more certain that the participants were setting the limits in the slapping video than in the kissing video, which was a directed commercial product. So, for me, it's not about which is better, sensuality or pain (as if they're universally distinct!) it's about the necessity of consent to any intimacy. But you go on clucking about our violence-loving, sex-fearing world.
posted by gingerest at 7:52 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm a lot more certain that the participants were setting the limits in the slapping video than in the kissing video, which was a directed commercial product. So, for me, it's not about which is better, sensuality or pain (as if they're universally distinct!) it's about the necessity of consent to any intimacy. But you go on clucking about our violence-loving, sex-fearing world.
posted by gingerest at 7:52 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Does Max Landis volunteer himself to be slapped? Given that he is an asshole?
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:41 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:41 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Those were not significant slaps.
posted by turbid dahlia at 9:06 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by turbid dahlia at 9:06 PM on June 25, 2014
So this is the safe, upmarket version of happy slapping at last?
posted by Segundus at 9:09 PM on June 25, 2014
posted by Segundus at 9:09 PM on June 25, 2014
This is an accurate depiction of life in Silver Lake.
Cosigning from the hills above the reservoir. Maybe we've slapped each other before, roger ackroyd!
posted by thedaniel at 9:16 PM on June 25, 2014
Cosigning from the hills above the reservoir. Maybe we've slapped each other before, roger ackroyd!
posted by thedaniel at 9:16 PM on June 25, 2014
A hung over James "The Collossus" Thompson is asked by a fan to slap him:
...one of the Japanese fans asked if I would slap him. This is not something I'd heard of before, which probably won't come as much of a surprise to you as I doubt you have either, but it was then explained to me that it was considered an honour in Japan to be slapped by a fighter...Not feeling any ill will, I committed the said act of violence upon the fella (at his request), and what I produced was a slap of such magnificent, feeble proportions that I started to question my own masculinity and all-round colossus-ness... To cover my failure, I shouted, "Practice!" and gestured to my disappointed victim that all was not lost, that I was lining up for another go. When my victim’s friends saw that I wasn't happy with my last slap and that I was going to try again, they got excited again. Determined not to let these strange but friendly fans down, I uncorked a good, solid slap, not heavy enough to cause damage but heavy enough to sting and make a cool sound. Only it didn't make a cool sound--not unless you count a quiet thud as cool. This is because in my haste to reclaim some respect I had caught said “slappie” with the butt of my hand instead of the palm. He dropped to his knees clutching his head as an awful silence descended over the gathering. I thought, “This is going well.” But as I went to see the extent of the injury I’d inflicted on my now half-deaf fan he suddenly jumped up, hugged me, and thanked me over and over. I laughed, he laughed, his friend’s laughed. Who'd have thought a badly placed slap could bring about so much happiness, but there you go.
posted by 445supermag at 9:23 PM on June 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
...one of the Japanese fans asked if I would slap him. This is not something I'd heard of before, which probably won't come as much of a surprise to you as I doubt you have either, but it was then explained to me that it was considered an honour in Japan to be slapped by a fighter...Not feeling any ill will, I committed the said act of violence upon the fella (at his request), and what I produced was a slap of such magnificent, feeble proportions that I started to question my own masculinity and all-round colossus-ness... To cover my failure, I shouted, "Practice!" and gestured to my disappointed victim that all was not lost, that I was lining up for another go. When my victim’s friends saw that I wasn't happy with my last slap and that I was going to try again, they got excited again. Determined not to let these strange but friendly fans down, I uncorked a good, solid slap, not heavy enough to cause damage but heavy enough to sting and make a cool sound. Only it didn't make a cool sound--not unless you count a quiet thud as cool. This is because in my haste to reclaim some respect I had caught said “slappie” with the butt of my hand instead of the palm. He dropped to his knees clutching his head as an awful silence descended over the gathering. I thought, “This is going well.” But as I went to see the extent of the injury I’d inflicted on my now half-deaf fan he suddenly jumped up, hugged me, and thanked me over and over. I laughed, he laughed, his friend’s laughed. Who'd have thought a badly placed slap could bring about so much happiness, but there you go.
posted by 445supermag at 9:23 PM on June 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
It would be awesome if what actually separates us from the beasts is that we regularly punch each other in the face.
Research suggests humans also punched animals.
posted by stbalbach at 10:40 PM on June 25, 2014
Research suggests humans also punched animals.
posted by stbalbach at 10:40 PM on June 25, 2014
This is an accurate depiction of life in Silver Lake.
Cosigning from the hills above the reservoir. Maybe we've slapped each other before, roger ackroyd!
What? Silver Lake would eat each and every single one of these people alive for breakfast, and then it'd drop the kids off at Ivanhoe, stop at Broome St. for a flat white, and head off to band practice at the lockout before getting to its studio job at Warner Bros. at 10. These people are West Hollywood and NoHo and Palms and Studio City. These people are children.
I might be interested in something like this if each and every single person in this wasn't 27 and of the exact same social circle and if the whole thing wasn't presided over by a ringmaster who has a b-roll bts doc crew filming him "discussing what it all means" while casually "sitting around with his pals." This? This is a quarter-step left of a college video project.
posted by incessant at 11:04 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Cosigning from the hills above the reservoir. Maybe we've slapped each other before, roger ackroyd!
What? Silver Lake would eat each and every single one of these people alive for breakfast, and then it'd drop the kids off at Ivanhoe, stop at Broome St. for a flat white, and head off to band practice at the lockout before getting to its studio job at Warner Bros. at 10. These people are West Hollywood and NoHo and Palms and Studio City. These people are children.
I might be interested in something like this if each and every single person in this wasn't 27 and of the exact same social circle and if the whole thing wasn't presided over by a ringmaster who has a b-roll bts doc crew filming him "discussing what it all means" while casually "sitting around with his pals." This? This is a quarter-step left of a college video project.
posted by incessant at 11:04 PM on June 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
The most painful thing in the video was the wrong-hand handshake at 3:33.
For what it's worth, I've met the gentleman that is on screen right for this handshake and he has trouble shaking with his right hand due to a slight disability. (Think along the lines of Bob Dole, if you're old enough to remember his campaigns.) He still usually offers his right hand, but his scene partner here extends the left and our dude just rolls with it.
posted by dogwalker at 3:02 AM on June 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
For what it's worth, I've met the gentleman that is on screen right for this handshake and he has trouble shaking with his right hand due to a slight disability. (Think along the lines of Bob Dole, if you're old enough to remember his campaigns.) He still usually offers his right hand, but his scene partner here extends the left and our dude just rolls with it.
posted by dogwalker at 3:02 AM on June 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
For me, the thing started going wrong when women were mentioning whether or not they had been hit. And then I was thinking about non-consensual violence. Which I think is maybe not what this chill as fuck film guy intended.
posted by angrycat at 3:34 AM on June 26, 2014
posted by angrycat at 3:34 AM on June 26, 2014
People are calling this "violence" because it looks vaguely like violence. Consensual smacking isn't violence. With a few exceptions, I doubt any of these slaps even hurt, and I'm sure none of them hurt very much. When slapping is followed by hands over mouths and giggling, it probably isn't violence.
Also, cynical but probably true from the "Kiss video re-shot without actors and models" link:
"...everything that goes viral on the internet is a lie or an ad."
posted by crazylegs at 6:08 AM on June 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also, cynical but probably true from the "Kiss video re-shot without actors and models" link:
"...everything that goes viral on the internet is a lie or an ad."
posted by crazylegs at 6:08 AM on June 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
I love everything about this. The fact that they're all attractive merely adds to the schadenfreude for me.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 8:43 AM on June 26, 2014
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 8:43 AM on June 26, 2014
I can't believe no one's linked to the Fish Slapping Dance yet.
posted by gern at 10:35 AM on June 26, 2014
posted by gern at 10:35 AM on June 26, 2014
the thing started going wrong when women were mentioning whether or not they had been hit
Having someone you love/like/know hit you and choosing to be lightly slapped for a video are two really different things. Presumably, the participants all chose to be in the video. For me, the choosing would have been in some small way about taking back power that had been long-ago stolen.
posted by donnagirl at 11:52 AM on June 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Having someone you love/like/know hit you and choosing to be lightly slapped for a video are two really different things. Presumably, the participants all chose to be in the video. For me, the choosing would have been in some small way about taking back power that had been long-ago stolen.
posted by donnagirl at 11:52 AM on June 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
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