Anyone who knows me knows I love hockey. I mean I write about it enough on this site. One of the other things I love is media that pushes the envelope especially if it is from outside the US and let’s face it, most of the good stuff that pushes the envelope is not made in the US.
My love for foreign shows started early with You Can’t Do That on Television. This was a “children’s show” from Ottawa, ON that few parents would want their kids to watch. Thankfully, my parents allowed my sister and I to watch basically anything we wanted. It was crass and sarcastic and did not take itself seriously. In the early days of Nickelodeon, many of their best shows came out of Canada. Are You Afraid of the Dark was another favorite of mine.
Back then there was only one other channel I remember that showed movies and shows from outside the US: PBS. I used to watch Dr. Who with my aunt as well as Fawlty Towers and Monty Python. Still it was rare to find stuff. Even the movie theaters rarely had foreign films showing though we did have one art house theater near me that I sometimes was able to get my mom to take me to see something. Occasionally a movie like Life is Beautiful or Parasite would breakthrough, but it was rare.
Fast forward to the modern era with streaming platforms and the world of foreign media is right at your fingertips. I have been able to enjoy all sorts of television shows and movies from around the world. I have enjoyed 3% from Brazil, Elite from Spain, Squid Game from South Korea, Alice in Borderland from Japan, God’s Own Country and Adolescence from the UK, Summer of 85 from France, and many, many others.
How does this relate to my love of hockey, you ask? Good question. I was late to the game on all most of these items sometimes a few weeks but usually a year or more. A few weeks ago, the YouTube algorithm put in front of me a new show from Canada called Heated Rivalry. From the thumbnail, it was clear this show involved hockey in some way. There were two things I did not realize at the time. One, the show would be exclusive to a Canadian streaming service called Crave; and two, the show would push the boundaries in way few US shows every would with two male protagonists and sex. I watched the trailer and was fascinated by it. As I said, I like shows that push the envelope and this show certainly seemed to be doing that. The trailer looked well made and the buzz surrounding the show seemed nearly universally positive. Considering it had not been picked up by any US service, I expected to use a VPN to catch the series. HBO came in about a week prior to debut date and picked up the show.
We are 4 episodes into a 6 episode season, and I have to say the show is very well done in all aspects. The show is incredibly “steamy” but I think it works for the plot. The main character actors are mostly newish and I find their performances heartfelt and authentic. The directorial choices, cinematography and lighting have heighten both the tension and romance of the show. I am not at all up on today’s popular music so I can only go by the sounds and lyrics as to how they complement scenes though I figure a lot of the music is from Canadian artists due to Canadian law around entertainment made in Canada. The show has already been picked up for a second season based on it shooting straight to #2 on HBO Max behind the It prequel. I think I might know where the season plot will end up but who knows?
Have you seen Heated Rivalry? Do you enjoy foreign entertainment? Comment below.
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