Last night I went to see Bill Cunningham New York, one of the best films I've seen in such a long time. Bill lives a life of simplicity in a world of excess and glamour. He shuns the limo lifestyle getting around New York on his bicycle. He has few clothes and gaffa tapes them together when they fall apart. And he refuses meals at the celebrity dinners he attends most evenings in favour of a $3 diner sandwich.
Throughout the entire film you're constantly questioning how such a man survives in an industry that is so at odds with his own values. In a film sprinkled with touching moments the one that stood out for me was when it was revealed that BIll parted company with Women's Wear Daily because they had changed the copy of an article to poke fun at how people were dressed in some of his pictures. For Bill there was no 'In' or 'Out', just 'In'. There was no 'Cool' or 'Uncool', just cool. Why be derogatory about something that should just slip by unnoticed. Socialite Annette de la Renta later notes, “I don’t think we’ve ever seen a cruel picture done by Bill.” It's a cruel business, with questionable morals, which is why it will never be see in light as other art forms. If only it had Bill's values.
Here's a few moments of brilliance from the great man:
"Everyone has taste, but they don’t have the daring to be creative."
"I let the street speak to me."
"If you don’t take money, they can’t tell you what to do, kid. That’s the key to the whole thing."
"Money is the cheapest thing. Freedom is the most expensive thing."
"It’s as true today as it ever was, he who seeks beauty will find it."
"The wider world perceives fashion sometimes as a frivolity that should be done away with in the face of social upheavals and problems that are enormous. The point is, in fact, that it’s the armor to survive the reality of everyday life."
He nailed it.
Posted by: Javier | April 15, 2012 at 12:02 AM
Awesome.
It got real when the videographer ask him about sexuality, religion and family.
That pause to last forever. Loved his honest answers.
Posted by: Alex F | September 06, 2012 at 10:58 PM