Bill Cunningham New York
I hardly ever go to the movies. But I couldn't resist an invitation to a press screening last week for the new documentary about New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham. The film, simply entitled Bill Cunningham New York, is really really good.
Even if you don't care about fashion or high society — the categories that he covers — it's worth seeing. I just love Cunningham's approach to his work: He doesn't care about his profile or fame, even though he's quite well-known in sartorial circles. He doesn't seem to have any need for material trappings. (Wait until you see his apartment! It's filled with ugly metal file cabinets in which he stores decades' worth of photos and negatives.) He's all about doing his job and doing it well. And in a world where so many people seem to be seeking celebrity status for no good reason (or talent), I think that's a rarity.
P.S. In the Bay Area, the film opens next week.