'Bright Lights': Starring Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds

The release of HBO's documentary 'Bright Lights', a look into Hollywood's legend Debbie Reynolds' and her daughter Carrie Fisher's life, had definitely bad timing. Or maybe it was the perfect timing as both mother and daughter passed away within days of each other at the end of December last year, with the documentary scheduled to air during early January 2017. The doc did finally serve to honor both of them following their sudden deaths and it resulted to be the best farewell kiss from them to us. Because what we can find in 'Bright Lights' is the ultimate tribute to those two one of a kind ladies.

 I personally wasn't much aware of Debbie Reynolds' life, i knew more about Carrie Fisher's as she had trouble in the past with drug abuse and mental illness but what really surprises you about the documentary is the special bond they both had. In one hand, Reynolds' is a joy of a person, very sweet, kind and charismatic and in the other hand there's Carrie, who's unique personality stands out. And as she says, she has become a mother to her own, aging mom. And while Debbie Reynolds shines through the doc even though she was not feeling her best, what really stands out is Carrie Fisher's persona. Her humor and thoughts about life, her openness about struggling with maniac depression, the stories she tells, is simply something fascinating to hear. And you can tell that everyone around her is aware and really appreciative of that. 

But not everything is joy and fun, we witness the decay of Debbie Reynolds' health, to the point that somedays she cannot film the documentary as expected, as well as how difficult it was for her to simply attend the SAG Awards where she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The struggle and concern of Carrie making sure that everything was going to be alright for her mom to feel comfortable, was a scene that breaks your heart. Because you saw her breaking down at the fact that her mom's star was slowly fading away and what a terrible loss that was going to be for her, obviously.

Fisher also teaches us a lesson in life as we see some old footage of her tenderly taking care of her father Eddie Fisher, despite practically abandoning his kids to be with Elizabeth Taylor. And even though he was a nightmare to Carrie during her teens, she was forgiving at the end and took great care of him before passing away.

This is a must-watch documentary for anyone who admired both thespians, and even if you didn't it's a great thing to see. Because their view of life and positivity is amazing, and their stories and talks are something i would listen to for years. But, even though the timing was not the best, it's the greatest way of saying goodbye to these two amazing women, both in their unique, different ways, and it's a joy to see.

Check out some gems of the documentary after the cut and more at the source. 

The First Monday in May: The Met Gala documentary

"The Met Ball is the Super Bowl of social fashion events" and the biggest fashion event of the year. Anyone who's a fashion lover knows this and awaits for this time of the year anxious to see all those celebs in all those pretty gowns. It's like the Oscars of the fashion industry and it's the audience, the ones who follow it, who decide who wins, who's best dressed and worst.

Last year, the theme of the Met Gala was 'China: Through the Looking Glass', and while it was somehow criticised for the lack of chinese personalities, they made a documentary about it titled 'The First Monday in May' that features fashion moguls like Anna Wintour or Andrew Bolton, and the whole process behind it which is something great to see. This is one big fashion event and being able to see its whole development is something i feel really eager to do. I already loved the Vogue documentary 'The September Issue' so i'm hoping that this new one is as fabulous as that other one was, with the same insight and access to that hermetic world.

'The First Monday in May' is going to open the Tribeca Film Festival on April 13 but you can watch the trailer below or get a look at the subject of the doc with my post of last year's event, or take a look at the Met Gala 2015, 2013's event or 2012 gala.

sources: flavorwire, sandiegotribune, impactony & youtube

Making Space part ll

Part 2 of Petra Collins' documentary 'Making Space' about young female dancers is out and is equally on point and as great as the first part.

I really love the delicacy and intimacy that Collins' always brings to everything she shots, films and the mood it captures, like what she sees is an extension of what she feels. And this second part is even better than the first one (as i can relate more to these girls as i've never done cheerleading), and their dreams and aspirations is something i once had too (even though i was more into ballet).

Anyway, enjoy this second part of the documentary and whenever i find more pics from this part i will upload them as well, because i loved a lot of shots it has.

sources: bbdakota & youtube

Making Space by Petra Collins

Petra Collins' new project 'Nowness', the first of a series of three documentaries about teen dancers, is something you should be excited about. The famous rookie photographer and her sister embark on a road trip all across the Deep South to explore what it means to be young in 2015, and if someone can explain that it's her.

I love Petra Collins precisely because she captures a really different side of adolescence, she doesn't like the typical teen commercial dream that can be seen in tv shows or movies, she captures it as it is and as it's shown in her photographs. That's why, in my opinion, she's so big. That intimacy, that mood she catches with her camera is something that i've only seen in other female directors –like my favourite Sofia Coppola in 'The Virgin Suicides' or now Gia Coppola in 'Palo Alto'– and it's something that i really love. Here's what she says about this project:

“Anna and I went into making these docs thinking that most of the girls would be like us,” she says of portraiting the star-spangled dance team of a New Orleans high school and the realization unearthed along the way. “They would be facing the same problems we faced as teens—self-esteem issues, eating disorders, etc—and by the end of the trip we realized that every girl we interviewed was totally confident, powerful, and that most of them didn't struggle with those things.” 

It's really curious that now that my teen years are way behind and that girls now seem to be so much pressured about her looks and more judged about her actions, that they embrace all that pressure and find themselves, probably, at an earlier age than what we used to do in the 90s. It's surprising and a relief for me as being confident and comfortable in your own skin was my struggle during those years.

Watch below the first documentary 'Making Space' and keep an eye out for more:

sourcess: nowness & IG

Searching for Sugar Man (2012).

I heard quite a lot about this documentary, this year's Academy Award winner, and even though i knew the whole story before watching (don't get spoiled by browsing info about it), i absolutely adored it.

The documentary is based on the research two South Africans did about music legend Rodriguez and his mysterious death. Rodriguez was big in South Africa in the 60s, but despite making music in the US, noone knew about him there. And that's everything you should know before watching. It is a really amazing story, quite surreal, and totally emotive, and one of the things i liked best, without giving away too much, is that it teaches you a lesson of acceptance, of not having remorse or being spiteful, and that's among other things, the greatness of the figure of Rodriguez. Also, his songs were amazing, it's quite surprising to see how back in the day he was depicted as the next best thing since Bob Dylan by music producers, but he didn't  have any success with his two albums in the US. So, i'm posting a few of the songs i like best from him, such a nice discovery, and make sure to watch this documentary because it's really something else. More songs after the cut:

"Cause the sweetest kiss I ever got, it's the one I never tasted"

Faster Higher Stronger

This is a really great BBC documentary about gymnastics in the Olimpics, the evolution of female athletes in this sport and the stories behind many of the important gymnasts that won Gold and made an impact in the world. It's mostly about female gymnastics, there are a few male gymnasts but it's mainly focused on women from the beginning of female gymnastics to this day. You'll miss a more modern approach to it with stars of the U.S. team like Dominic Monceanu, Nastia Liukin or Shawn Johnson, but it is really worth watching if you love this sport, i didn't like 'Make It Or Break It' just because, you know?

source: youtube

Woody Allen: A documentary

Now this is something interesting, there's an upcoming documentary on the very great, very fantastic and very funny Woody Allen, with interviews with some of his actors (Diane Keaton talking about Woody <333) and some other directors who admire him, getting to know a little bit more of this little old man.

Anything Woody Allen does is worth watching, it might be not as good as his first movies but still is way better than most of the films out there today. If i had to choose one of his movies without being too predictable (everyone loves 'Manhattan' and 'Annie Hall') then it will have to be 'Interiors' totally forgotten and underrated film, it's totally different from his other movies and totally Bergman inspired, a modern classic, totally!

sources: youtube, forpilar& listal