Anyone see "William Eggleston in the Real World"?

[justins7]

Saw the the "William Eggleston in the Real World" documentary last night at Film Forum in New York. Just wondering what people thought.

It was interesting, but I couldn't stand the cheap, sloppy video-work. I realize it was all shot on-the-fly, spontaneously, etc., which is okay for late night cable, but not for a $10 cinema. It was hardly a match for Eggleston elegant photos.

 

[gns]

Have not yet. Waiting for it to come to my area.
I posted a heads up about this and another film, "By the Ways" a while back.
With all of this attention, it seems he has reached a new level of cult status.

 

[RML]

Haven't seen it. Never even heard of it. But wish I could see, being a great fan of Eggleston's work. Even wrote a little piece on his work on my blog . 🙂

 

[aizan]

i hope there is going to be a dvd.

 

[pesphoto]

I just reserved a copy on Netflix. It comes out on DVD FEb 14 2006.

 

[gns]

Thanks for the netflix tip, pesphoto.

Gary

 

[pesphoto]

Youre welcome, Here is a link to it. Netflix.com

 

[justins7]

Be warned: I think this film is part of a carefully plotted conspiracy to present Eggleston as a western, naive, nutty, taciturn artiste, either inebriated or oblivious much of the time.
Since seeing the film, however, I've read more: he lived for years at the Chelsea hotel in New York with Warhol types and knew damned well what he was doing.

While I obviously don't think there's any kind of conspiracy, it does seem obvious that his dealers are eager to craft a certain image.

 

[pesphoto]

Hm, I'll keep that in mind when I see it, thanks for the thoughts

 

[mojojones]

Eggleston has for years played the naive character. I remember seeing him speak at a conference back in the seventies. I revered him at the time (still do for the most part). As he got up to speak the room became pin drop silent. He proceeded to stammer around for about five minutes:, "My work is about...", "My photography is...", "I look at the world..." , without ever finishing a sentence. He then said "Well, why don't I just show you some pictures" at which point a small army of volunteers moved dozens of folding tables into the room and laid out several hundred, maybe as many as a thousand, images from the "Democratic Forest" series. The room was dumbfounded. If you've seen this work you may understand why. It has it's merits, and the unmistakable Eggelston eye, but the lack of clear subject matter, in such a large volume was overwhelming.

Despite the subterfuge, he truly is one of America's master image makers.

John J.

 

[gns]

He does seem to have somewhat of a reputation. Like sometining out of a Barry Hannah story.

Here is a link to an intreresting article/interview...
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,1266665,00.html

The film could be interesting, but I don't figure it will shed a great deal of light on the photographs. The work stands on its own (or it doesn't).

Gary

 

[pesphoto]

I just watched this last night. Does anyone know what camera that is he was using?

 

[bmoc]

mamiiya 23 in many of the scenes.

barry