Finding Vivian Maier

2013 United States

Screening: 15th May 2023, 83 minutes

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Documentary revealing how a box of negatives bought at auction led to the discovery of the prolific photographer Vivian Maier, who depicted street-life in America, and who is now recognised as one of the foremost female artists of her time. A "Who done it " of the photography art world.

Feedback from our members:

Score Feedback
5
I found it very romantic, this lady coming from a countryside (though born in NYC), being able to keep a fresh eye over what was surrounding her, whether it was politics, people, news. She could keep a genuine uncompromising relation with it all. I'm myself an artist and appreciate people like her. I'm just sorry she couldn't profit from her work.
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Thanks
5
Fascinating story.
5
Inspiring!
5
Absolutely loved it!
5
Fantastic. Thought provoking. Moving.
5
Intriguing.
5
Excellent - have wanted to see a film about her for years.
5
Very different & most thoughtful. Unusual - didn’t realise how different Americans were.
5
Fascinating! A well chosen film, again. Thank you.
5
Very, very interesting - fascinating - rather sad. Would like to see much more of her work.
5
It meant a lot to me on a personal level.
5
Best film I've seen for ages.
5
Great to see such an interesting documentary.
5
Amazing.
5
An amazing life - who knows what else the world has missed.
5
Fascinating documentary. So many questions left unanswered. Fabulous black & white photos.
5
Intriguing insight. Held my interest throughout. Fascinating story.
5
Very interesting life. Brilliant photographer and interesting life.
5
Wasn't sure what to expect. Very moving and engrossing. What a strange disturbed and gifted lady.
5
Fascinating insights of an amazing woman. Enjoyable yet troubling too.
5
Very different film. Most enjoyable. Would like to find out where she really came from.
5
Amazing insight with very complex person.
5
A lovely surprise. Superbly shot, narrated & soundtrack. Intriguing.
5
I really enjoyed it. Very interesting but it jumped around & it was difficult to work out how her personality & mental problems changed.
5
Very interesting & (towards the end) rather sad study of an 'unknown' artist.
5
Fantastic film. Very well prepared on very little evidence. Highlights how you have to mistrust establishments.
5
Fascinating insight into an amazing and enigmatic woman. I think there's a bit of Vivian Maier in all of us!
5
Absolutely excellent and very good introduction by Martine.
5
Very interesting. Fascinating story - wonderful photography - everyone with the eyes directly to the photograph - and suddenly it turns so dark! It must have cost so much to do all the detailed difficult research - so worthwhile.
5
I loved this art for the artist. Extraordinary & v. moving. Fantastic film, skilfully revealing layers of an extraordinary person - with extraordinary talent. The love she inspired seemed to be fuelled by the fear and suspicion with which people viewed her. Skilful cinematography and use of a 'crime' reveal type genre - very fitting for the mystery reveal. So grateful to Fleet Film as always for such an emotionally challenging experience.
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A very good film about a damaged lonely lady who sadly passed some of her angst onto her charges - BUT a brilliant photographer of mostly sad people.
4
I have never been interested in photography but found the film fascinating. The photography was impressive and moving. A very xxxx film
4
This film was different! I really enjoyed it. Excellent photography and well paced. Interesting interviews with different views but all very similar about Vivian. It would have been great to have her interviewed!
4
Very different and very interesting. Has made me see people in a different way.
4
What to make of Vivian Maier? I feel like I've discovered her, but not 'found' her. An interesting exploration of the light and dark side of an artist.
4
An interesting portrait of a very complex character. Obviously very private, obsessive. She clearly had empathy with children, the poor, the outcast - a fascination with everyday life. Yet she remained always an outsider and with a dark side. The portraits were wonderful!
4
Very interesting story at first but interviews later became repetitive. Photos are a good record of 'social history' though.
4
Really interesting. Lots to speculate about and I love the way the film was shot, seeming to emulate the Vivian Maier style. Could have been edited a little.
4
Interesting film but I prefer when you screen foreign language dramas.
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Fascinating.
4
Very interesting film.
4
Interesting, fascinating, unusual, sad.
4
Very interesting film about a very damaged person. Photographs were amazing.
4
Most unusual but captivating. Another great choice.
4
Fascinating - very interesting - she is still a mystery. Her photos are amazing.
4
Good documentary. Quite enjoyable watch. Going home to Google her!
4
Fascinating insight into a life.
4
Interesting insight into a private person of talent.
4
Interesting film - something I didn't know. Sound was too loud!
4
Fascinating and disturbing in equal measure. Thank you for the excellent introduction.
4
Good film - different & thought provoking - I think I'll have a clear out of my stuff though!!
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Very loud!
3
It was a bit unusual - documentary rather than a story. Interesting but a bit of a departure from films you usually show.
3
Interesting but not as good as a film in a foreign language.
3
A perfect example of American story telling. A hero made out of nothing posthumously.
3
A very different film to usual - an interesting selection of black & white photos by a talented photographer - posthumous immortality (at least for a little while!)
3

Films are screened at The Harlington in Fleet every fortnight on Mondays. Everyone is welcome.

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Doors open 7:30pm, film at 8:00pm.
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