you don't care at all about fashion or have never heard of Bill Cunningham? I enjoy documentaries and I noticed the short list of possible nominees for the Academy Awards, and noticed that this movie was one of them. I figured I might watch a few that are available on Netflix at the moment.
So is this an entertaining movie even if you're a 27 year-old male who likes documentaries but couldn't care less about fashion?
Yes, I don't care at all about fashion and I had never heard of Bill Cunningham, and I LOVED this documentary. He is a special person.
If you can't find a friend, make one.
-May (2002)
beautiful film. i have some passing interest in both fashion and documentaries, but am not a dedicated fan or follower of either, and i loved it to death. would recommend it without hesitation to almost anyone.
With the way things are these days, I hope he isn't mugged for his cameras, run over by a cab, or arrested by homeland security who sometimes bust tourists for taking pictures on the street.
I did see him run into the back bumper of a cab but they cut away quickly. He also said he had 28 bikes stolen although he was using what looked like a trace chain as thick as my wrist to chain them to a pole.
If you're intrigued by the complexities of the human spirit (Bill) and amused by the odd social habits of rich exhibitionists, you'll love it.
@phoenix:
I don't think this was about the "odd social habits of rich exhibitionists" at all. I didn't see any "odd social habits" portrayed, unless one counts going to dinner parties, soirees or charity dos as odd, which I don't. (Although you may have a point about turhing your ottman and your sofa into a suit or giving jewellery to your stuffed toys.)
I also disagree about the adjective "rich". Bill doesn't care about celebrities or rich people. He is interested in fashion and style, and this has nothing to do with money. I think this comes across very succinctly in the documentary.
Clearly, fashion is about exhibitionism (not the sexual type) but I think that's too negative a word. As Bill himself says: If everyone dressed like he does, the world would be a very boring place.
Great documentary - absolutely loved it.
I don't care about fashion but i found it fascinating. I am in the minority here but i found Cunningham less interested in the superficial face of fashion (which most fashionistas seem to care about), but more how people use fashion as their personal canvas. He doesn't care about brands, about models, about designers, only about people who stand out and project an image that they believe in. I find him to be more of an art critic or a cultural anthropologist than a fashion photographer.
shareI love this guy and am glad I found this thread which recognizes he is a free spirit doing what he loves to do.
I am 65 and I would be intimidated by the prospect of throwing myself out onto the streets of New York every day (on a bicycle yet) and just looking at everyone in the hopes of finding something interesting. And he is 80! (When the film was made).
He almost seems like a monk who is in the world but not of the world. He doesn't drink, doesn't care about food, wears the most simple practical clothes. He doesn't care to be beholding to anyone so returns money. He doesn't want to be distracted at the events he covers so he doesn't partake of the goodies.
And all of these conditions of his life have made his opinions more valid because he can't be bought by riches or swayed by celebrity.
It's OK, but there was a bit too much "telling" and not enough "showing" for me. The footage of the fans fawning over Mr. Cunningham gets old, and I didn't find him particularly interesting on his own. I could have used more examples of his work and particularly his photo essays. 7/10 stars from me.
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