MELBOURNE, 29 October, 2024: In the pre-internet days, dating was almost physical. But it changed with the advent of the www. Today, it is not unusual to date online through apps or social media accounts. Success or no success depends from situation to situation. Blossoming online romance turns to true love . And, all of a sudden the need for physical contact surfaces, but falls flat. ‘Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare’, is a documentary delving into one such mysterious relationship.
Kirat Assi is in virtual romance with Bobby, who vanishes after eight years. It demolishes her life dream. The fact it continued for so many years is the story of this documentary. Whenever Kiral tries to meet Bobby something intervenes and it does not happen. Her rather mysterious fiance’ Bobby, is traced through a detective, turns out be a catfish, a person with a fake online profile. Who is this person. The tale is based on a hit podcast (2021), Sweet Bobby.
The story is frighteningly exposes the perils of online romances or, maybe, any non-physical relationship gone wrong. Kirat tells it all herself and her parents among others are in live interviews.
“People think coercive control can’t happen online, but it can,” Assi tells Tudum (Netflix online magazine) about what happened to her. “It slowly breaks you down to the point where you’re not yourself anymore.”
You have to see this documentary to feel Kirat’s emotional breakdown. How the use of technology by a catfish destroys a confident bubbling young Sikh girl. The end is blurt and revealing, should be seen to believe it. I am sure many will understand what it all means.
A tragic but powerful real-life happening wrapped in the 21st century’s tech driven world.
Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare is directed by Lyttanya Shannon (Subnormal: A British Scandal), executive produced by Rebecca North (American Nightmare), and produced by Kiran Sira (Murder, Mystery and My Family).
The movie is streaming on Netflix.
