A cinematic profile of the noted veteran New York City fashion photographer.
An exuberant, occasionally intimate portrait.
Watching Cunningham snap his subjects, who range from haute couture clad It girls to peacocking drag queens, is joyous.
After years on his trail, director Richard Press unearths hints of the complex reasons the humble fanatic – exuberant with eccentricity and old-fashioned kindness – denies himself a private life in a doc that’ll make more than just fashionistas smile.
As Cunningham goes about his work chronicling changes in fashion and the city he loves, a portrait emerges of a man deserving of ever bit of the respect and esteem in which he's held. There's few sharp edges or dirt digging, but it's no less engaging for that.
A minor joy.
Gives you new perspectives of fashion, photography and New York.
Absorbing.
Affectionate.
Recommended if you are a dedicated follower of fashion.
Only at the end, when Press asks two personal questions, one about his love life, one about religion, does the laughter briefly stop, and we sense a more complicated character.
Watching Cunningham snap his subjects, who range from haute couture clad It girls to peacocking drag queens, is joyous.
It's a charming, loving, witty portrait of the life and work of a delightful, kind man.
Cunningham comes across as that rare thing in fashion, a genuine original.
Cameo, Edinburgh from Friday March 23, 2012, until Thursday March 29, 2012. 1.15pm. More info: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Friday March 30, 2012, until Sunday April 1, 2012. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
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