Tickled: How a quirky story became a shocking doc
From funny story to distressing investigation. Director David Farrier delves into the dark, strange world of competitive tickling.
It's a story so odd it seems like a mockumentary.
New Zealand TV reporter David Farrier is known for doing quirky stories about ordinary people. When he stumbled across a Facebook page for a competitive tickle fight league, he thought it might make for a fun report.
But then his routine request for an interview was met with an aggressive and homophobic reply, warning him to stay away — and the investigative journalist inside him woke up.
Today Farrier joins Shad to share the bizarre saga behind his new documentary Tickled, and how the story's silly veneer gave way to something much more shocking and sinister.
New Zealand TV reporter David Farrier is known for doing quirky stories about ordinary people. When he stumbled across a Facebook page for a competitive tickle fight league, he thought it might make for a fun report.
But then his routine request for an interview was met with an aggressive and homophobic reply, warning him to stay away — and the investigative journalist inside him woke up.
Today Farrier joins Shad to share the bizarre saga behind his new documentary Tickled, and how the story's silly veneer gave way to something much more shocking and sinister.
"It starts very light and goes to darker territory," says Farrier, who says he wants the audience to go on the same journey he did. Still, the filmmaker says there are many moments when even he doesn't know whether to "laugh or grimace."
Tickled opens Friday in Toronto and Montreal, and on July 15 in Vancouver and Calgary.