"Love, Marilyn"

Love, Marilyn (2012)

Dir.: Liz Garbus

Prod.: Stanley F. Buchthal, Liz Garbus, Amy Hobby

"She came to us in her mother's doubt, and leaves in misery" - Norman Mailer 

Marilyn Monroe. 

Just the name conjures up so many pictures and sounds that it is almost a sensory overload. The pouty lips, the come-hither eyes, the curvaceous hips, the shapely legs. The husky voice. The trademark blonde hair. Her iconic films: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot (my personal favorite). Her infamous marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, the suggested affair with JFK.

What can be said about Marilyn that hasn't been said before? Over one thousand books have been written about her, written by friends, lovers, historians, famous novelists. She's been portrayed in movies by Ashley Judd, Poppy Montgomery, Michelle Williams and Naomi Watts. She's inspired plays and musicals (not to mention is the basis of the fictional musical "Bombshell" in the now-defunct television series Smash. And before you ask, yes, I watched the shit out of it). But where is Marilyn's voice? 

Fifty years after Marilyn's tragic death, two boxes were found in storage: boxes full of journals and diaries, letters and poetry, all written in her own hand, in her own words.

Love, Marilyn is a brilliant and moving documentary by Liz Garbus that takes all of Marilyn's personal documents and poetry to use as a backdrop against the life story of one of the most beloved women in Hollywood. Reading the words of Marilyn are contemporary actresses - Uma Thurman, Glenn Close, Evan Rachel Wood, Marissa Tomei, Viola Davis to name a few. Not only do they just read her words, they emote. They speak as though these are their own words. The emotions show on their face - pain, glee, excitement, anxiety. They inflect their speech to reflect Marilyn's writing - sometimes flowy and relaxed; other times frenzied and spasmodic. 

Lili Taylor reads Marilyn's hastily-written down instructions on how to cook a chicken (no, seriously)

Elizabeth Banks reading one of Marilyn's typed letters to her acting coach Lee Strasberg:
"There is a future, and I can't wait to get to it."

Other voices from those who knew and loved Marilyn fill in more narration, giving more background, a different perspective, are also used as narration. Adrien Brody speaks as Truman Capote, who observes Marilyn's darkest periods. Jeremy Piven portrays Elia Kazan, one of Marilyn's dearest friends. Ben Foster as Norman Mailer provides the frankest views. 

The best part of Love, Marilyn was actually getting to know her - not the dumbo bimbo, sexpot gold digger that she often portrayed in her films. No, that was an act. We get to know Norma Jean, the smart girl (and I mean smart, with an IQ of 168), who read a book a day, and knew how to play the Hollywood game to get on top. 

Do you know how Marilyn Monroe went from a two-bit B-list typecasted celeb to the superstar we now know her as? By not being sorry for any fucking thing. 

You see, in 1949, Marilyn took some nude photos for a calendar (WARNING: BOOBIES AHEAD)

See? BOOBIES!

Now, these pictures resurfaced in 1952, when she was under contract with 20th Century Fox. The studio was humiliated. They told Marilyn to deny that she took those photos, to say that this was just some unfortunate girl who happens to look like her.

Marilyn did exactly the opposite. When asked about the photos, she owned up to it. She claimed them. Therefore, she became the predecessor of a sexual revolution ahead of its time. By owning up to the nude photos, Marilyn's stock soared. She became a real star. 

Her diaries reveal that she hated being a star. She writes often about how tired she is, how she wishes she was dead. How she has an image to uphold. That's all she was - an image. She invented her way of breathless talking, the wiggle in her walk, how to use her entire body to convey sex. One particular diary entry muses over death by suicide by jumping off a bridge. She contemplates jumping of the Brooklyn Bridge, but decides not to because the view was too pretty. If she was going to jump from a bridge, she writes, she would have to find one that was ugly and with no view. But then again, she considers, she'd never seen a bridge that wasn't pretty. 

I spent a lot of time watching this film in a veil of mourning. I adore Marilyn Monroe, not just because of her acting, but because of her strengths and weaknesses. She is perhaps one of the most tragic figures of the modern age. She couldn't stay in relationships very long, they always ended in jealousy or sadness (Joe DiMaggio detested having other men looking at his wife, and stormed off the set of The Seven Year Itch when mainly male fans flooded the set to watch as her skirt billowed up). 

She was unable to have a child, having two miscarriages during her marriage to Arthur Miller. She struggled with insomnia and depression. She wrote letters upon letters to Lee Strasberg, her beloved acting coach. She was filled with doubt and anxiety, always wanting to be perfect perfect perfect all the time.

Every woman in the world wanted to be Marilyn Monroe, except for Marilyn Monroe. 

I feel like Marilyn is - was - misunderstood. She's often considered a dumb blonde or a bimbo because of how she was portrayed in her films, but it was clearly not the truth. Anyone wanting to get a better understanding of this beautiful woman who was only with us for a short time before her tragic death should see Love, Marilyn. Because her voice was the only one that hasn't been heard up until now. 

"Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer"

Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer, 2013

Dir.: Mike Lerner, Maxim Pozdorovkin

Prod.: Maxyne Franklin, Nick Fraser, Xenia Grubstein, Martin Herring, Mike Lerner, Havana Marking, Maxim Pozdorovkin, Nick Quested, Kate Townsend

It's here, it's here, it's HERE! The summer documentary series on HBO has arrived! I never knew how much I wanted this until it actually happened! 

It started last night, but I got home late last night and I stayed up way too late watching the doc and by the time I finished, I was way too tired to blog. Especially because this particular doc is mainly in Russian, meaning subtitles, meaning every time I looked down for a second to jot down some notes, I missed something, so there was a lot of rewinding involved. Luckily, my husband kept his word and watched with me, and helpfully read the subtitles when he noticed my head was down. 

HBO really chose a strong leader for the first doc of the summer season with "Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer".

You probably have heard of Pussy Riot without even realizing it, especially if you were an avid news watcher early in 2012. They made CNN and world news headlines. 

A group of Russian women of varying ages, outraged by the re-election of Vladimir Putin in 2011, stage visually stunning, guerrilla-style protests, hiding their identities with brightly colored clothing and covering their faces with balaclavas (ski masks), looking like Luchador Barbie.

Accessories include: ATTITUDE!

They scream feminist, anti-government lyrics set to driving punk music, throw confetti and shoot off colored smoke bombs. They are Pussy Riot - they are strong, outspoken women, and they are angry.

In February of 2012, members of Pussy Riot decide to stage a performance at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow...on the altar...during a service. Yeah. These girls have BALLS. 

Naturally, security is called and three of the members of Pussy Riot are arrested on moral charges.

The documentary actually begins with video footage of the arrest, followed by interrogations of the three women who were arrested: three good looking, well spoken women in their early-to-mid-twenties. They are introduced as Nadia, Katia and Masha.

otherwise known as the hottest bitches in cell block go-fuck-yourself

In one interview with the police, Nadia is asked, "Why do you fight the Russian Orthodox Church?" 

"Did you see where the Easter services were held? The cathedral symbolizes the union of church and state," she replies. "That's not how it should be...the Patriarch stands at the altar. But a woman should occupy it. As a member of Pussy Riot, I believe that women should be allowed to run services and that women should stand at the altar. Because she is not a sinful creature." 

The rest of the documentary follows the trial and persecution of the three Pussy Riot members. Cameras, recorders, reporters, journalists, media of all kinds are allowed access to the courtroom. Not one camera is shooed away, no journalist are asked to turn of their recording devices. 

As Nadia is led, handcuffed, into a courtroom, she has nothing but smiles for the overwhelming amount of reporters that show up. She chats with them, flirts with them, states that Pussy Riot is a group that Russia needs. Her husband Peter shouts, "You look good, Nadia!" 

"I always look good," is her coquettish reply. 

Katia receives a welcome from her family, who ask her if prison has a library. She replies yes, but the books are old and that new books take a long time to arrive. Her father assures her that they would send her new ones but “You’ll be out before they reach you.”

As for Masha, she is asked by a reporter if her son was going to be taken away. Masha replies, “No...When the investigator presented the charges, he asked me a question: is your child being cared for? And if he needs to call social services. I almost had a nervous breakdown. I don’t want to hear a word about social services. And if this horrific theater affects my child in any way, that will be the worst that could happen.”

Pussy Riot’s lawyer, Violetta, is a ball-buster. She’s tough and fights hard for her clients. She disagrees with the court’s decision to keep the girls in jail instead of releasing them on bail, insisting that this is just going to fuel protest fires, rather than smother them.

“Punk has never existed in Russia, and neither has performance art. Nobody understands it,” explains another Pussy Riot lawyer.

Meanwhile, members of The Russian Orthodox "carriers of the cross" refer to Nadia as a “demon” and the other girls as “witches”, and discuss how in the 16^th century, the girls would have been hanged or burned. They hold their own protests outside the courtroom as the trial commences, singing hymns and carrying pictures of religious icons. 

As the Pussy Riot trial gains momentum, supporters from all over the world – America to Amsterdam to Ireland – are posting YouTube videos and making statements, calling for “Free Pussy Riot”. Madonna and Yoko Ono make public announcements in their support of the imprisoned women. Madonna even performs, in Moscow, with “Pussy Riot” written on her back, and wearing a balaclava.

CHECK!

THIS!

SHIT!

OUT!!!!!

I think the one thing you must keep in mind while you are watching this film is, Did these women really do anything wrong? 

What I mean by this is, did they deserve to be jailed for their "crimes"? In America, they would have a right to protest. In a draconian Russian court system, minor offenses are deemed jail-worthy. Do they really "deserve" to be imprisoned for protesting at a church? While the documentary itself gives the viewer its opinion, it's done in a way that it's really left up to the viewer themselves to decide for sure, which I think makes this a wonderful doc to watch with a group, especially if you're the lively debate type of group. 

Next week: "Love, Marilyn" - a look into the very private life of one of Hollywood's most beloved stars. 

“Art is not a mirror to reflect the world, but a hammer with which to shape it” – Bertolt Brecht

Want to join the movement to Free Pussy Riot? Visit http://freepussyriot.org/about

"Young@Heart"

Young@Heart, 2007
Dir.: Stephen Walker, Sally George
Prod.: Hannah Beckerman, Sally George, Jane Villiers

This morning, as I lay in bed watching TV, I saw a commercial for something only I would get excited for: the summer documentary series on HBO. YES!!!

HBO will be showing ten hour-long documentaries, once a week for ten weeks, starting tomorrow until August 12th. I was so excited I immediately set my DVR. I’m going to be watching and blogging all ten documentaries (starting tomorrow with Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer).

Anyway, seeing this commercial totally lit a fire under me and it put me in a doc watching mood. So, let’s dive back in!

Okay. Quick – picture a glee club!

I bet you’re thinking one of two things: overly sequined Broadway rejects singing cheesy, schmaltzy versions of pop songs, or that monstrous TV show that falls under the category "it seemed like a good idea at the time" (you know exactly what I'm talking about). 

I'm glaring at you, Fox...

Well, I’m about to totally blow your mind. Meet the Young@Heart chorus – a music group comprised of twenty-four senior citizens singing punk and rock songs. Talk about “seniors behaving badly”!

The average age of this group is EIGHTY! EIGHTY, OKAY?! They sing, they entertain, they tour, they’re up on stage, singing their asses off, with walkers, wheelchairs and canes. The documentary follows them on their journey to rehearse a brand new touring show, which will open in seven weeks.

Eat your heart out, Rachel Berry

It originally began as a group of golden oldies singing golden oldies. However, one member of the group suddenly busted out into singing the song “Do Wa Ditty”, and the course of the chorus was changed forever.

The chorus master, Bob Cilman, is charismatic and funny and works extremely hard with the chorus. At the first rehearsal that is filmed, he congratulates one member on his birthday, makes a few jokes about kidney stones, and then asks, “Anyone have any other health issues they want to share? Anyone having a baby?”

Bob picks songs like “I Wanna Be Sedated” by the Ramones and “I Feel Good” by James Brown. He’s not so much concerned with tune or harmonies. It’s more about camaraderie, fun and entertainment. He prints the lyrics out for everyone using an extra-large font. He provides CDs for the members, so that they can sing along at home and learn the words. The choreography is light and easy. They’ve performed at schools, festivals and for the Queen of Norway. Though not everyone loves the music Bob picks (some admit to wearing ear plugs to rehearsal), they all love being a part of the chorus.

Most of the members of the group have no idea about punk and rock – they only sing it. Their own tastes vary from Broadway standards to opera. Sonic Youth, the Clash and Outkast may be on their own program, but they don’t prefer to listen to it.

The oldest member of the group is Eileen, who is 92 years old. She’s a British import who, in a former life, was a burlesque dancer. She’s flirty and sweet, who tells people she’s twenty nine. “I just switch the numbers ‘round!” she laughs. She lives in a nursing home, but is the only resident who has her own key to the front door to the facility, due to the fact that chorus rehearsals sometimes keep her out late, after all of the staff has gone home.

“Singing does a lot for your whole body,” says chorus member Joe. He’s eighty three years old, has battled cancer (and went through six bouts of chemotherapy), and is going on tour with Young@Heart against medical advice. He, Eileen and their friend Lenny, travel to rehearsals together. Lenny (a WW2 veteran) is the only one who is still able to drive. He also enjoys going on long bike rides and is still active in other choral groups, like the Harmonicats and the church choir.

The most emotional part of the documentary is when Bob visits a former member of Young@Heart, named Bob Salvini, who swears that music brought him back from the brink of death. He was hospitalized, and not expected to survive the night. A priest was brought in to say his last rites. However, his daughter tells about how singing through the night helped him pull through. “He sang everything,” she says. “Everything from the Young@Heart program.”

I think my favorite part, however, is the scene where the chorus does their first-ever performance at a prison. This was one of the greatest things I have ever seen on film - two dozen senior citizens performing in an outside courtyard, surrounded by barbed wire, for inmates who genuinely look like that they are having a wonderful time. I'm serious! These guys sit and listen to the chorus with gigantic smiles on their faces, bobbing their heads and clapping with sincere appreciation. At one point, a few of them are moved to tears. Afterwards, the chorus members mingle with the prisoners, who give them hugs and handshakes, complimenting their performance and saying how much they loved them. It was quite wonderful to see. 

Young@Heart was a wonderful, uplifting documentary. I did not stop smiling the entire time, though there are moments that will move you to tears. These elderly folks really are young at heart – they would rather defy their doctors and travel to rehearsals than miss a single one. They sing in the shower, they sing in the car, they sing to each other. They love to dance and to perform. They work so hard to learn these songs, and when Bob gets frustrated at rehearsals and wants to cut a song, they get up and arms and threaten to pummel him. They even make music videos!

What I took away the most from Young@Heart is that you’re never too old to do what you love and as long as it makes you happy, there’s nothing that can stop you.

I really hope I'm this cool when I'm an octogenarian. 

For more information about the Young@Heart chorus (and get their tour schedule, of course), visit: http://youngatheartchorus.com/