I am under influence...no no...not alcohol or drugs. I am under huge influence of Finding Vivian Maier.
To be totally honest...I am not sure if it's the movie, the photographs she took....or maybe the person she was? Maybe it is just the story itself. Her story - that was unknown until John Maloof found her... hiding in the boxes.
This documentary represents exactly what's amazing about watching documents. Suddenly you realize you are with your big boots in someones private life :)
I appreciate and admire John for making such effort with all the work he did to find out this woman.
With her looks (too tall + weird clothing even in the times she lived in) not too handsome, if you know what I mean, weird voice and in the end...not social at all, I guess there was not big chance for her to become known in her years. Even though, many experts confirmed, she had talent. But now, this is the perfect timing, so again, hats off for John Maloof.
I really enjoyed small interviews with all the people who knew her. This gave me an image of Vivian. Actually, all those people gave me few images of Vivian as she was remembered differently by each and every one of them. Everyone had another experience, felt simillar but in a way...not simillar. And that's amazing. I bet, if I asked my friends/colleagues when I'm 70 years old, how they remember me from high school or during my 20s....every person would say sth else and all of them would be right.
I cannot stop wondering, Miss Maier was so private that no one knew how unordinary she is. How many such extraordinary people are there in the world....doing what the feel passion for and not sharing it with anyone?
And at the same time, being very good in their "craft", maybe even knowing it but still...not wanting to share it or not being in the right moment to share it with the world.
This movie touches upon important psychological subjects as well. I don't mean mental diseases only, but also certain habits, stereotypes, the way people judge each other.
Finding Vivien Maier reveals a lot of details about her, but still leaves mystery about her young years. What driven her to become...simply her... the way she was. Did something abusive happen to her when she was little? Did she live in big poverty? Why wasn't she looking for any partner? She was alone by choice and apparently she did not feel lonley. Or maybe she did?
So many questions.... VERY INTERSTING STORY! Take a look at those images...simple and moving. Vivian Maier left thousands of photographs, videos and personal stuff she collected while being a nanny. When she died, only people living in the same block knew it. They mentioned her as "this old woman that was all the time sitting alone on the bench".
