Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the screening of Bert Stern: Original Madman thanks to Jeff Wells at Hollywood Elsewhere. Director Shannah Laumeister was there to introduce the film, as well as hold an impromptu Q&A afterwards. Her documentary took six years to make, spending two of those years with musicians Jeff Eden Fair and Starr Parodi on the score. I had never heard of Stern (yet was unknowingly familiar with his far-reaching work), so the biographical documentary was quite educational (for one, we learn that females were originally banned from liquor ads). Stern is a retired photographer and art director responsible for some of the most iconic imagery of the 1960s, as well as subsequent troves of memorable photos from the ensuing decades, and a jazz film featuring Louis Armstrong, among other greats. An innovator and visionary, Laumeister's introduction flashes us a hefty taste of his work, part of which pushed pop culture forward (he was behind the famous picture of Sue Lyons sucking on a lollipop with matching heart-shaped sunglasses for Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita), before delving into the details of his life both professionally and personally. After commerce had appropriated his artistic sensibilities and he found success in advertising, he covered every female celebrity imaginable (including Marilyn Monroe in her enduring final session before her death), propelled by a fascination and love of the feminine form and personality. We also get candid insights into his tempestuous relationships from both him and his past loves, as well as his legal woes and issues with drugs. He’s depicted as a man not unlike Mad Men's Don Draper going after what he wanted, never questioning his decisions, and always needing more. Photography for him was an addiction, where he wasn’t so concerned with the final product, but the relationship and space between him and his subject in that moment. Life and age ultimately caught up with Stern. Laumeister, who modeled for Stern in her youth before engaging in a intimate relationship, has a softness in her technique, while being both probing and eliciting a sense of humor from her cast of characters. Despite expressing mild regret, Stern is a man ultimately content with his choices, having made a living utilizing his talents to the fullest, leaving behind an astounding legacy of photographs. This documentary offers a diverse, but succinct impression for audiences to enjoy.
Bert Stern: Original Madman opens today at the Nuart Theatre.
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