This is one of the most intriguing documentaries I've seen in a long time. It was on the ABC a few months ago, and it's stayed with me ever since. I had never heard of the photographer Francesca Woodman before I watched this - when it came on I was only half paying attention, but as it unfolded it had me enthralled. Not so much in the filmmaking itself, which is fairly straightforward, but the story of Francesca and her eccentric family, and her amazing photographs. I've since bought one of her photography books, and it really is incredible work. She uses a lot of elements that could risk being obvious - empty rooms, deserted spaces, the naked body, costumes, props - but she uses those elements in such an idiosyncratic and creative way that the photos are truly the work of an artist with a singular vision. As is often the way with original artists, she didn't receive the recognition she craved at the time (early 1980s), and she committed suicide when only 22.
"A fascinating, unflinching portrait of the late photographer Francesca
Woodman, told through the young artist's work (including experimental
videos and journal entries) and remarkably candid interviews with her
artist parents Betty and George (a ceramic sculptor and
painter/photographer), who have continued their own artistic practices
while watching Francesca's professional reputation eclipse their own."
The film is available for download, or streaming
http://alivemindcinema.com/req.php?req=static.php&page=TheWoodmans
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