I saw this film last night at the Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Film Festival. This was the first year I had ever gone to this festival and this was the first film I saw there. I am by no means a professional film critic or writer, but I noticed that nobody had posted anything under User Reviews on the IMDb. So, I thought I would just give some brief thoughts on the film.
Going into the theater I wasn't really sure what to expect. I will admit, I was quite unfamiliar with Bert Stern. I had seen some of his photographs, but beyond that, I knew nothing of the man. As the movie starts off, it is quite slow, but after a while the pace picks up a bit. Also throughout the film you begin to feel a connection with Bert and start to really like him. By the end of the documentary you will have a smile on your face. Everybody else in the theater really seemed to enjoy it. The thing that sets this documentary apart from others is the fact that it is directed by Shannah Laumeister, Bert's best friend and former (and current?) lover. This offers a unique view into the world of Bert Stern. Bert is somewhat of a stubborn man, he doesn't care for press, and never does interviews. Based on the Q & A with Shannah after the film, he wasn't really to thrilled about he making this movie either. She is able to, however, get stories out of him that he most likely would never tell to another interviewer. This is because he trusts Shannah, and not many others.
Overall, this is one of the better documentaries I have seen. If you are headed to the Minneapolis/St.Paul film festival tonight, I recommend you go and see this over the others. If it is available at other film festivals or other theaters, check it out as well.
Going into the theater I wasn't really sure what to expect. I will admit, I was quite unfamiliar with Bert Stern. I had seen some of his photographs, but beyond that, I knew nothing of the man. As the movie starts off, it is quite slow, but after a while the pace picks up a bit. Also throughout the film you begin to feel a connection with Bert and start to really like him. By the end of the documentary you will have a smile on your face. Everybody else in the theater really seemed to enjoy it. The thing that sets this documentary apart from others is the fact that it is directed by Shannah Laumeister, Bert's best friend and former (and current?) lover. This offers a unique view into the world of Bert Stern. Bert is somewhat of a stubborn man, he doesn't care for press, and never does interviews. Based on the Q & A with Shannah after the film, he wasn't really to thrilled about he making this movie either. She is able to, however, get stories out of him that he most likely would never tell to another interviewer. This is because he trusts Shannah, and not many others.
Overall, this is one of the better documentaries I have seen. If you are headed to the Minneapolis/St.Paul film festival tonight, I recommend you go and see this over the others. If it is available at other film festivals or other theaters, check it out as well.