DOCUMENTARIES GO IN BLOOM AND UNDER THE KNIFE
As part of her series “Documentaries in Bloom” at the Maysles Center, curator, critic, and Filmmaker contributor Livia Bloom has assembled a fascinating program this week comprised of three rarely shown films all dealing with plastic surgery and the construction of beauty. The centerpiece is Mitch McCabe’s feature Youth Knows No Pain, in which the filmmaker (and daughter of a plastic surgeon) examines America’s “culture of anti-aging,” juxtaposing her research with an examination of not only her own face but her own attitudes towards her body as a result of being her father’s daughter. I saw the film when it screened on HBO last year, and its commentary is witty, engaging and non-didactic. Definitely recommended. Also on the bill are two related short works from almost 30 years ago. Daisy: The Story of a Facelift is a 1982 film by Dr. Michael Rubbo described thusly: “Middle-aged Daisy shares her decisions, doubts, and stomach-turning medical procedure in this rare featurette from the earliest days of cosmetic surgery.” Finally, a rarely-seen short film by artist Harun Farocki documents a Playboy centerfold shoot. The entire program begins at 6:00 PM each night beginning tonight, Wednesday, July 16, through Friday, July 18. Visit the Maysles Institute site for more info. And, oh yeah, director Mitch McCabe will be present for a Q and A each night.
