Finding Vivian Maier is riveting.
Back in 2007, young historian John Maloof bought a box of negatives at auction in hopes of finding pictures to illustrate a book he was writing about Chicago. What he discovered, instead, was one of the best street photographers of the 20th century.
Stunned by the power and depth of the collection – there were 100,000 negatives and thousands of rolls of undeveloped film – and shocked that no one had ever seen any of these photos before, Maloof started investigating the mysterious photographer.
“You always want to know who’s behind the work,” says Maloof, but it seems that even the people who knew Maier didn’t really know her.
Vivian Maier was, of all things, a nanny. In this documentary, Maloof interviews the now-grown children she cared for, along with their parents, including Phil Donahue who remembers her taking a photo of a garbage can and thinking, “Well, they laughed at Picasso.”
No one is laughing now. Photographer Mary Ellen Mark calls Maier’s work “beautiful” and believes “she would have been a famous photographer” if she had showed her photos to anyone.
Maier’s story is fascinating because it’s so strange. The people she lived with had no idea that she was born in New York because she spoke with a French accent. She refused to tell a storekeeper her name, saying, “I’m sort of a spy.”
And she was. Rarely seen without a camera around her neck, she observed and snapped everything going on around her.
Her young charges have mixed memories of how she treated them, with hints of a real dark side. They recall frequent visits to Marshall Fields, where she was ultimately kicked out for helping herself to too many candy samples, and a trip to a stockyard which is hauntingly captured on film.
We will probably never know why Maier was so obsessive about taking pictures but she captures the human condition so intimately, her photos take your breath away.
Maier’s work has been exhibited all over the world, and Maloof is still archiving her prolific collection.
If you’ve ever doubted that a picture is indeed worth a thousand words, just see this movie.
Note: If you live in San Diego, co-director/producer Charlie Siskel (yes, he’s Gene’s nephew) will be doing a Q&A after the 7:30 show at the Landmark La Jolla tonight, Saturday, April 19.
I am so glad to read your review. This film is playing at our neighborhood theater but I didn’t know anything about it. Now the story is ringing a bell. It sounds like a fascinating movie and I can’t wait to see it.
Honestly, it’s one of my favorite recent movies. Her photos are amazing. Let me know what you think if you go see it.
How intriguing! I am always mesmerized by b/w photos of earlier times. She really captured the personality of her subjects and I love the storyline! I’m checking to see if this is playing anywhere near me right after I hit “post this comment”. Thanks Lois.
Melinda, these photos are absolutely breathtaking and the story is just unbelievable! I hope the movie is playing near you!
This is marvelous Lois! I love the photography. I hope some day to see the film here in Vermont. What a story. I am so glad you shared it!!
I was so moved by these photos and can’t believe they could easily have never been found.
This is definitely on my list, and it’s playing locally now. Also, the UC Berkeley J School had an exhibit of some of her work– pictures that feature newspapers. I’m going to see it, for sure. Will report back!
Ooh, I would love to see that exhibit. Definitely report back!
I have been anxious to see this since I first read about it. It sounds like I was right!
Yes, you were right!
I will look for it when it comes to Portland. Her images are stunning.
Thanks for reviewing this!
Susan
What an odd story. In the craziness of social media with people clamoring to be noticed here is a person who was the antithesis of that!
Since we live in the boonies (in the mountains), the better movies play at two different theaters, each 30 minutes from our house (one of the reasons we are moving!) It’s always worth the drive to go to those theaters, and this is one of the reasons that makes it all worth it.
Thanks again, my little movie reviewer, for bringing to my attention yet another must-see movie!
This movie is definitely worth the drive! And you’re right — it’s such an odd story, and fascinating that she had no desire to be noticed but kept storage units full of all her stuff to be pieced together like a puzzle. Really fascinating.
This is a fascinating story. You should also check out an amazing movie about Vivian Maier that the BBC made: http://www.vivianmaiermysterymovie.com
Ooh, I will definitely check that out. Thanks so much!
I saw the BBC version so curious about this movie, and her pictures totally take your breath away