Searching for Sugar Man [2012]

Yesterday, in an attempt to escape my overly quiet campus and the pending dissertation that is breathing down my neck, I went out in town for a coffee, some magazines and a movie. I saw Searching for Sugar Man, a documentary I've been meaning to see for a long time. I chose Curzon Soho because of its location, and it was a great experience, of high quality, but damn, was it expensive, I'm not going there anytime soon.

Anyway, the movie, written and directed by Malik Bendjelloul, tells the story of Rodriguez, an unknown Detroit artist who recorded two albums at the beginning of the 70s, that were basically invisible to the American industry, but had a huge success in South Africa. Two locals, intrigued by the mystery of a man who they knew nothing about, but loved his music, decide to solve the problem by tracking down the money and find out the real story of Sixto Rodriguez, the South African musical hero.

I won't spoil everything, but I will say it was a nice, but bittersweet journey. The whole movie takes you through a whirlwind of emotions and stories: from the beginning of his career, when producers would consider him to be a genius, to the inexplicable downfall, to his resurrection in the southern hemisphere, the inside view of a man who changed a nation without even knowing and the sad truth of music industry and where it can get you. It goes up, then down, it gives you goosebumps, it makes you smile, and it entertains you with a wonderful soundtrack.

This leads to a very important part of the documentary- the music. At a first listen, you immediately think "Bob Dylan" and the similarities are definitely there- same grave voice, some beautiful lyrics, same style, but Rodriguez shines somehow through his songs and their own simplicity and beauty, sometimes even better and commercial than the folk idol. I really do encourage you to give it a listen, even if you don't see the movie. Try "Sugar man", "I wonder" or "Can't get away"- very relaxing, smooth and rhythmic songs.

Searching for Sugar Man is one of the best documentaries I've seen recently- I recommend it to any music lovers out there. It has a perfect balance of emotion, passion and entertainment, mixed in a rather interesting way. You should see it if you have the chance!

Bill Cunningham New York [2010] documentary

The first few shots of the Bill Cunningham documentary tend to push you away, to make you think "why is this creepy old guy stalking girls on the streets of New York?".

This creepy old guy, this sweet, energetic, full of passion guy is Bill Cunningham, a world known photographer who has 2 columns in the New York Times newspaper. His speciality? Street Style- what he basically does is go out every day (or night, in some cases) and shoot random people he finds interesting or fascinating. It can either be because of the shoes, or the funky clothes, or just because the shot might be good (he loves taking photos during a storm or bad weather).  Yes, he is quircky, but his passion is admirable; he is happy with a camera in hand.

The documentary doesn't show too much of his private life, with the exception of his apartment and some close friends- maybe because his story is not interesting, maybe because he doesn't want to share. Bill Cunningham lives in a very small apartment in Carnegie Hall (a building who is currently occupied by offices); he has one bed, a few clothes on hangers spread all around, a lot of fashion books and cabinets, cabinets full of negatives- oh, and the bathroom is on the hall.

At the age of 80, he has something that most people in fashion desire from the first moment they start- respect, admiration and a lot of event invitations. Icons like Anna Wintour talk about him in very high terms: "I said many times that we all get dressed for Bill", and former business partners (like Details founding editor and art director) admire his devotion and passion for passion.

Bill Cunninhgam innovated, he took risks and, not even knowing, he observed and, more importantly, created trends- in fashion and in photography. His street style column forged the way for the thousands of fashion bloggers all around the world today. He is always guided by amazing work ethics and never gives in- for example, he doesn't drink or eat at the events he is invited to.

Along the way, we get to witness some beautiful, but also funny scenes: Editta, his longtime neighbour, trying on hats and talking about her work, the story of the blue jacket he always wears, the constant bantering between Bill and the current Art editor of New York Times, and so on.

He is a sweet man, but you can't help feeling sorry for him, especially at the end, when he responds to a question about his private life by saying that he hasn't had romantic relationships in his life, he just always had clothes on his mind- you expect it, but it is sad; don't people need love to survive? The last question from the reporter was, surprisingly, the one that proved to be the most difficult one to answer: are you faithful? do you believe in God? to which he gives a truly genuine, honest, moving reaction- it got to me. I won't say, that's the beauty of watching the movie for yourself.

Which you should: watch Bill Cunningham New York, especially if you are interested in the fashion industry, or just like interesting characters, cause he sure is one! A good documentary overall!

L'Amour Fou[2011] documentary

L'Amour Fou is a 2010 documentary about the life and work of famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Depicted with the help of Pierre Berge, his love partner, we learn more about the man, this character and his love for fashion and art.

The film, made by Pierre Thoretton, takes us from the beginning of his career at Christian Dior to his retirement in 2002 (his speech during the announcement is actually the first scene of the documentary and a beautiful one, that sheds light on his beliefs and passion on fashion), lingering much more on his private life then on his business.

In short episodes, the documentary mentions some of YSL most memorable moments of his career: his first collections at Christian Dior, where each one had more then 150 dresses, the Mondrian-inspired dress, the Opera and Russian Collections in the 1970s, his invention of pret-a-porter (ready-to-wear or street clothes), and random images and clips of his fashion shows, all sporting the elegant, classic sign YSL at the beginning of the runway.

One of the major topics discussed is his art collection. Yves Saint Laurent was a true lover and admirer of art, in any form, and together with Pierre Berge, he collected fantastic pieces: paintings from Andy Wharhol, Goya, Mondrian, sculptures by Constantin Brancusi and much more. Each with a beautiful memory attached to it, his partner tells the story of some of the most important ones, everytime shedding more light to the sensible, timid, poetic Yves. After the designer's death, Pierre decides to give their incredible collection to auction and the end captures the grand event that took place in Paris, at the Grand Palais, organized by Christie's. Just to give an example of the earnings and of the valueable items sold, the Brancusi sculpture was sold for 26 milion euros.

But the main aspect that this film ilustrates is the love between Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge. They met in 1958, a couple months after Christian Dior's death (a mutual friend) and they remained together for the rest of their lives (with a brief separation in the 1980s due to the designer's addiction of alchool and drugs). Whilst Yves was the artistic man, the poetic, sensible man in the relationship, Pierre was always his rock, being the pragmatic individual that he needed to survive and make his business florish. They worked together perfectly, complementing each other in business and in love.

From the film-making aspect, it is beautifully made, having photos and footage of past collections interwined with interviews with Pierre and other close friends. The soundtrack, containing mostly melancholic piano parts, has some surprising songs, but stays in tune. The editing, or montage, could have been better, but still managed to capture the true essence of the era.

L'amour Fou is a soft, lovely homage to the great designer that Yves Saint Laurent was. If you like fashion, you should give it a try!



"fashion's role was not simply to make women more beautiful, but also to reassure them, give them confidence and allow them to assert themselves." Yves Saint Laurent

Senna[2011]

Senna is a 2011 documentary about the life of race car driver Ayrton Senna, one of the best and the most famous people in Formula 1 history.

The story follows the Brazilian from the beginning of his career to his tragic ending. The script takes you through all of the important steps who took in order to become the man he is known to be. From the race which he started in the 13th place, but finished in the 2nd one, to his first World Championship win in 1988, his controversy with Alain Prost in 1989, all the way through his last season at Williams, the company who was responsible for his tragic death during one of the races. Extra bit for Formula 1 lovers or, at least, for those who follow the sport from time to time: you do see the beginning of Rubens Barichello and Michael Schumacher's careers.

I must say I didn't knew too much about him beforehand, so I think the documentary showed a beautiful side of the driver and it all worked out well. Ayrton was a very strong, competitive man, but also, with a lot of faith in him. He once said "If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver" and he is right; plus, you can apply that saying in more then one context, can't you? He understood the sport, he loved it, he was the best at it and he fought for what he believed in. Anyone can appreciate that.

His unavoidable death was sad, but for me, personally, wasn't properly explained or expressed in the right way. You build up a movie like this one, you know everyone is expecting the shocking part, but when you get to it, you use 1 minute and then straight to the funeral; I was a little underwhelmed by it. The saddest moment was the funeral, when we get to see people from his life saying goodbye, his before and after relationships- it got to me.

Senna is probably one of the best documentaries I have seen. I absolutely loved the fact that they used ONLY footage of him and didn't add unnecessary shots, just background voices explaining the situation and how Senna reacted to it. The music suited the vibe perfectly and the editing was superb. I think that even for non-Formula 1 people, this can be entertaining.

Overall, it is a film worth seeing and you should watch it when you have the chance!

Life in a Day[2011]

Life in a Day is a wonderful documentary about humans, about life, about love and loss and fear. Youtube and the Scott brothers asked the world to document one day, the 24th of July 2010 and then send the videos. After 80.000 submissions, 4.500 hours of footage was obtained from 190 countries all around the world and made into a 90 minutes documentary.

It basically takes you through normal day to day activities and occurances: breakfast, work, babies, love, relationships and so on!

Random moments that I loved: "between 3 am and 4am the veil between the this world and the next is the thinnest"; people going to work before sunrise; "alpha male traped in"; the rooster singing; the cute wake-up faces; people peeing; first shave; babies; the man who travels around the world; the woman with the chicken bag and canadian flag; the guy with the Lamborgini; "But we are still alive"; the slaughtering; "I actually love my refrigerator, it's such a cool place"; 4 men on a bycicle; jumping in the pool; the woman flying etc etc.

Two special mentions: 1. there is a scene where a guy is in a subway and films a girl in the next compartment reading; she looks up, he shies away, with camera down- a lovely moment! 2. kid in the pool: "I fear growing up"- oh, you are so right, kiddo!

They end the documentary with a testimonial from a normal girl, with a normal life, who wants more, who wants to feel part of something! Don't we all want the same?

90 minutes of footage showing us life as it happens in every part of the world- same feelings, same relationships, same fears. What do we all have in common? We all try to live our lives the best way we can and survive another day! Wonderful!

Did you see it? Any other documentary recommendations for me? I am intrigued!

Louis Theroux: The most hated family in America [2009] BBC documentary

Louis Theroux: The most hated family in America [2009]

BBC documentary

It is such a strange, yet very real story, one that you can’t believe it’s possible to have in our times.

It’s a TV documentary written and presented by the BBC’s Louis Theroux about the family at the heart of the Westboro Baptist Church, headed by Fred Phelps and based in Topeka, Kansas. It runs the website GodHatesFags.com, and GodHatesAmerica.com, and other websites expressing condemnation of LGBT, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Sweden, Ireland, Canada, The Netherlands, and other groups.

As weird and sick as it might seem to the vast majority of the people, it is normal and represents the law for them. What stricked me was the way the talked about their „religion” or beliefs, as it was the right thing to do, the best, and everyone who doesn’t think that will go to hell. Because that is mostly what they preach: hate, and I think that is what bothers me. I understand the fact they believe in something else, that they have certain opinions, but what I can’t cope with, is the idea that their way is the only way and the others should burn in hell just because they don’t follow their rules; they can’t co-exist with others.  I thought God wanted love and peace and tolerance, and that isn’t what they are doing. So who is wrong?

I think it’s a shame that their kids are raised to have the same ideas. That’s the most sickening thing of all, to me. The parents teach them those concepts and opinions so young, that for them it’s natural and normal...they can’t understand the opposite, so they are raised to be so hateful and to have such radical opinions. One case in point was the talk Louis had with the two daughters, who where about 16 or 17. They didn’t have any other friends then their family, no boyfriends, no life and they shared the same hate and preconceptions that the elders showed. It was just wrong.  They should have the right to choose how to live their life!

There is so much to talk about this subject and so many sides to listen, but I’m not going to discuss it any longer! Just watch the documentary and if you want, comment below! Please don’t insult or use agressive language!

Here’s the link: http://documentaryheaven.com/louis-theroux-most-hated-family-in-america/