Genres

Visitors Review

David Ferguson 2012-05-22 19:57:05

I, On the Street

Greetings again from the darkness. Well my fashion sense is limited tojeans, a t-shirt and tennis shoes. I would not be one's first choice todiscuss the industry of fashion photography. However, that's not whatthis documentary is really about. Instead of focusing on thephotographs of Bill Cunningham, director Richard Press shoots the manat work and in life ... the two being indistinguishable for Mr.Cunningham.If you aren't familiar with his name, you are not alone. BillCunningham has a long running NY TIMES page where his photographs aredisplayed. He also has a feature called "On The Street", where herecords commentary for his photographs - this can be heard on thewebsite. Still, none of that tells you much about this man.The film opens abruptly with video of Cunningham at work. He isalternatingly riding his bicycle and sprint-walking as he weavesthrough the sea of taxis and humanity in downtown Manhattan. His trustycamera is always around his neck as he continues his quest for fashionon the street ... fashion sense in the working people of the city. Hiseye is sharp and quick. We never know what he will hone in on. Maybe anever-before-seen winter coat, a flamboyant hat, or even a pair ofheels that a woman is sporting. The man is over 80 years old and hiseye and mind still quickly process what he deems worthy of notice.Once again, none of those words do justice to this man or his story. Helives an incredibly humble life in a studio apartment within theconfines of Carnegie Hall. Yes, as the film takes place, he is amongthe last of the remaining residents of the great hall. We learnmanagement has determined that the few residents will be moved out ofthe building and relocated to other apartments nearby. We meet one ofthe other residents ... the fascinating "Duchesss of Carnegie", EdittaSherman. She has lived there for 60 years and it has been her home andphotography studio. She made her living shooting celebrities and wecatch a glimpse of her amazing work ... including a short video of herdancing in the 60's - filmed by Andy Warhol! Ms. Sherman's space ispalatial compared to Cunningham's. His small studio apartment iscrammed with metal file cabinets, each loaded with decades worth ofphotographs and negatives ... a real history of New York fashion. Hisbed is a twin mattress held up by books and crates - no kitchen, and acommunity bathroom. "Humble existence" is an understatement.We learn from Mr. Cunningham that his work is divided into three parts:his street work, fashion shows, and charity events. He makes it clearthat celebrities bore him and he is much more interested in how theeveryday person uses fashion in their real life. Still, early on, weget comments from Vogue editor, Anna Wintour about how Cunningham's eyeimpacts the fashion world. She gives him much credit. We also getquickies from Tom Wolfe, Annie Flanders and even Brooke Astor to seehow easily Cunningham fits in with the upper crust, despite hisconnection to the street. There is even a segment in Paris where he ishonored by the French Order of Art and Letters ... and he "works" hisown event! But it's the street where he is most at home. He says he ison his 29th bicycle ... the first 28 were stolen. He states this withthe same enthusiasm that he shoots his subjects. The man is a constantsmile and quick with banter, yet we learn just how alone he really is.When asked about his friends, family, lovers ... he momentarily breaksdown only to regroup and express his love for what he does - it's notwork, it's pleasure.By the end, it's clear that while so many people respect the man andhis work, no one really knows him. He lets his pictures stand as thetestament to decades of documenting the colors and patterns and styleof New Yorkers.

Harold S. Levine 2012-05-22 04:34:01

Not to be missed

I have lived in Manhattan for 32 years, 31 of them a very short walkingdistance from the corner of 57th and 5th, where Mr. Cunningham huntshis prey during the year. I have met him and seen him at work, but knewvery little about him. This wonderful documentary not only showsCunningham going after his shots, but is a wonderful window into therole of fashion and society in New York, with incredible images goingback to the 1970s (and in some cases, even earlier). I admit that Icried for about 15 minutes in the beginning, so beautifully do thefilmmakers create Cunningham's world -- and a New York I have had theprivilege of experiencing. If you liked "The September Issue," or therecent Valentino or Yves St. Laurent documentaries, run don't walk toBill Cunningham New York. And if you're a gay man of a certain age,bring Kleenex.

sick_desperation 2012-05-21 18:25:59

Beautiful and moving

Wow. Just wow. I really have no words that emphasize enough thebrilliance of this documentary.I am a complete fashion illiterate. I mean, the only things i wear aresports clothes, jeans and t-shirts. So i've never heard before of BillCunningham. He's a fashion photographer for the New York Times, and adamn fine one, it seems.This is his story, and what a story! Like a modern-day Thoreau, helives alone in his tiny apartment, filled only with art books andfilers full with negatives of his work of this last 60 years. He stilluses an old analog camera and rides his bike everywhere, only replacingit when it gets stolen.But, what's really special in this little marvel, at least for me(because of the fact that i don't do for living something that i reallycare about... if i think about it, i don't really know what could thatbe...) is the chance to watch someone who is completely and utterly inlove with what he does. He exudes happiness and content, because he isright where he wants to be, doing what he really wants to do, with allhis heart. He's 80 years old, and still kicking it like the best, whenmost people would be wasting away, retired after 30 or so years ofunfulfilling work.His elation transpires into his personality and daily interactions withhis colleagues and acquaintances, he's always smiling and good-humored.He's fiercely independent, and seems to be in a never-ending search forbeauty in all its forms.I believe that the world is a candid place with people like BillCunningham in it. Now it's up to the rest of us to find that which wecan be passionate about.

Caleb Chadwick 2012-05-21 07:08:51

One 2011's best films

This feature about one of the worlds leading photographers is somethingnot to be missed. It paints the portrait of a man who see's the worldfrom a different view than most. It shows the beauty in the mind of onewho's view on fashion is something that comes from a deeper place. Weget to see snip-it's of Bill Cunningham's deepest emotions and also thevision of a true visionary. These moments captured are charming,slightly funny, and relevant. Of all the documentaries scoping the lifeof one person I've seen, they really don't get much better than this.This film, which does have much critical acclaim now, is one that isdeserving of it's praise, and at the same time is not in any waypretentious. It is not only one of the most heartfelt films of theyear, but also one of the very best.

nathanschubach 2012-05-19 08:23:35

Kindest New Yorker with a heart of gold deserves this celebration about his life

I can't positively gush about this movie more than any other viewercan. This documentary warms the heart and allows people to see a sideof life not many seem to slow down enough to view. I had never heard ofhim before watching this, but Bill truly is a great man. This moviemakes me want to slow down and appreciate the everyday styles thatpeople choose. I loved the various side-interviews with notablesubjects of his photographs and colleagues, many of whom have similarlyquirky yet important stories to tell. The music was so well graftedinto the scenes that you may overlook it, but it guides the times andNew York-living so well that it shouldn't be overlooked, either. Ifyou're looking for a heart-warming documentary about a very importantfigure and artist in modern fashion photography, you'll enjoy learningabout Bill as much as I did.

Turfseer 2012-05-19 00:13:06

Feel good documentary about one-of-a-kind, modern day Peter Pan

Nominated for a Spirit Award for Best Documentary, 'Bill Cunningham NewYork' is an entertaining and enjoyable film about a fascinatingeccentric who no doubt belongs in the pantheon of all-time great NYCcharacters. 'Bill' initially worked as a fashion columnist but has nowbeen at the NY Times for many years primarily as both a rovingphotographer and fashion maven/columnist.'Bill' is now in his early eighties, and has been seen bicycling aroundthe city for years. Director Richard Press found some footage at the NYTimes, from over twenty years ago, which featured Cunningham talkingabout his work, and he hasn't changed a bit. Bill lived for years in avery small apartment above Carnegie Hall where he kept all hisnegatives and photos. There are some interviews with some of hisneighbors and friends, extraordinary in their own right.What's great about Bill is that he is full of energy and loves hiswork. His main thing is photographing people (mainly women) who aredressed in a way that impresses him. Bill only photographs those whohe's drawn to—he appears to be an excellent critic when it comes tofashion. Even though he often covers big society events for the NYTimes, he's never drawn to the cult of celebrity.Despite his great talents, Bill is completely modest in his personallife. He hardly has any clothes and seems to delight in wearing thesame windbreaker wherever he goes. He has no interest in food per seand basically indicates that he's asexual. Bill becomes emotional onlywhen he discusses his devotion to his Roman Catholic faith (attendingchurch every Sunday appears to provide him with an 'anchor' asotherwise, he is constantly 'on the run').There is no doubt that Bill Cunningham is a beloved character. This isevidenced by the birthday party thrown for him by NY Times staff aswell an award given to him in Paris as a man of letters. You'll alsoget a peek at how his columns at the Times are put together, with theable assistance of a production assistant.You don't really have to be interested in fashion to appreciate BillCunningham New York. He is a one-of-a-kind, modern day Peter Pan.