there's a bit of a buzz around town about this film
people talking about it - mostly in terms of want-to-see
black and white photography using film has a certain appeal
or at least seeing the results of someone with the eye and technique
the film opens with a bunch of random people with one-line comments
all connected in some manner to the subject of the film vivian maier
credits roll then we meet john maloof - chicago - needs photographs
it is not explained fully but he was on the search for archive material
a bit of background footage revealing he from a family of scavengers
he has stumbled on boxes of old undeveloped films in an auction house
at least one revealing there could be something of use for his project
footage shown then of him bidding for the boxes and winning at $380
not sure how or why that was filmed so suspicious of a recreation
no problem - a good introduction and the interest levels flickering
more so as the first full screen shots of her photos are then displayed
old people, children, street-dwellers in very natural poses and settings
the extent of john maloof's auction gains then explained in more detail
boxes of still negatives and also film, cassettes, paperwork, clothing
suggestions vivian maier a fastidious or neurotic gatherer and hoarder
maloof himself rising to the challenge and buys up more of her collection
then sets about printing selected photos and organising local exhibitions
at the same time he delves deeper to find out about the mysterious woman
google throws up no information so some detective work then kicks in
leading to connections with various people who have been in her life
and the people seen in the opening frames of the film then re-appear
searching for sugarman comes to mind - a similar construct and feel
the lady herself a loner, no family but a very well respected nanny
taking children on excursions and always with a camera with her
chosen model - a rolleiflex - held at waist height to focus/shoot
her subjects then appearing tall and with eyes engaged elsewhere
as they lock on to her eyes which are quite distant from the lens
interesting and informative so far - but mid-film it bogs down
too much time spent with old friends and children-now-adults
time looking at them seems wasted - more photographs wanted
their stories not adding to the knowledge she was a lone operator
confirmed in the sixties as she went out to see/photograph the world
impressive photos of that trip seen on the screen in a very fast sequence
the timing of each shot on the screen set to match loud and pulsating music
then it's off to france - some of the archive photos indicating time spent there
a small mountain village of 250 people with it's church in the archive photos
maloof sets up an exhibition there that has the town excited and emotional
one elderly lady crying as she views an old photo of her young husband
there is a focus in the film of pushing the success of such exhibitions
a comment that people power is more important than critical acclaim
and a realisation for me that this film is a part of a complete package
i was expecting a full film of still photos and a voiceover explanation
but no - we get to see a few photos briefly and a lot of talking heads
the drive seems to be to build the enigma and thus also curiosity
sated further i expect by buying books or attending exhibitions
mr maloof having control over all that thus setting himself up
call me a cynic - accepted - but this interesting film frustrates
at least in the aforementioned biopic it is fully self-contained
here - it's a teaser - not a complete and fulfilling piece of art
still - lots learnt and full points to john maloof - lucky him
