Page 6 May 24, 2018 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Entertainment
Unseen Footage Revealed in Grey
Gardens Prequel, That Summer
By Morgan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
If you’re familiar with the documentary
Grey Gardens, you’re probably aware
that it is arguably one of the most iconic
American documentaries in cinema’s history.
Grey Gardens tells the story of an eccentric
mother and daughter -- Big and Little Edie
Beale -- who chose to extricate themselves
from high society in order to live together
in a codependent, yet loving, relationship.
This unusual decision and existence became
the subject of Grey Gardens. The film’s cult
following in its devoted fan base would soon
spark TV movies, numerous parodies and
perfect Halloween costumes. This Friday,
fans of Grey Gardens can go behind the
scenes of the East Hampton estate where
the Beales lived in never-before-seen footage
that includes appearances by Andy Warhol,
Truman Capote and Mick Jagger in the
film That Summer.
The film opens slowly. Using entirely
archival footage, we spend the first five
minutes with photographer Peter Beard as
he recounts stories while flipping through
the pages of his photo book -- the most
interesting being anecdotes of hanging out
with Warhol and Jagger during the Studio
54 era. Through all of the glitz and glamour
that Beard has photographed over the years,
we find that with all of their peculiarities,
there was no subject quite like the Beales.
Beard, along with his friend Lee Radziwill (a
cousin of Edith and Edie Beale), decide to
chronicle the moments of this odd lifestyle
at the crumbling Grey Gardens estate during
one summer in 1972. The initial purpose of
the film was to show how the East Hampton
economy had changed over the years, and the
run-down decrepit mansion was the perfect
location and depiction.
However, after spending the summer with
Radziwill and the Beales, the project was
ultimately shelved. A few years later, directing
duo Albert and David Maysles went back
to visit Edith and Edie and the outcome of
that visit resulted in the iconic and infamous
documentary Grey Gardens. Forty-five years
later, the original footage of Beard’s summer
with the Beales (close to four rolls of film)
went on to become That Summer.
That Summer is a small, quiet documentary
that should excite fans of the Beales. Between
Big Edie singing opera in her oversized
armchair to Little Edie claiming that her cat
with an eye disorder is the spitting image
of Teddy Kennedy, the film is a fascinating
collection of hilariously observed moments.
With a runtime of 80 minutes, That Summer
may confuse or be slightly off-putting
to those who aren’t already used to the
nonsensical style of Grey Gardens or are
expecting a documentary with a clear story
of plot points, arc or direction. However,
fans will be thrilled with the access to this
never-before-seen footage that amplifies the
eccentricity of the Beale women (who were
also cousins of Jackie O.).
One may question if we really needed
another documentary about the wildly
wonderful Beales? Director Göran Olsson
(The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975)
proves that there is never too much of a
good thing, as he creates the perfect prequel
to Grey Gardens with Last Summer. Although
both Beale women have since passed, their
memory will continue to live on in this
iconic footage.
That Summer is not rated. 80 minutes.
Opening this Friday in select theaters, now
streaming on Amazon Prime Video. •
That Summer, Courtesy of Sundance Selects.
Two Amazing and Different Reads
Reviewed by Kristina Kora-Beckman,
Librarian I, El Segundo Public Library
For this week’s review, I couldn’t pick between
two slim but lovely volumes I’ve read
recently. They are so different, but fantastic
in their own unique ways.
Dear Fahrenheit 451: A Librarian’s Love
Letters and Break-Up Notes to the Books
in Her Life by librarian Annie Spence is
an epistolary gem full of irreverent wit and
snarky humor. In it, Spence features letters
to books she loves and hates, essays about
readers and libraries (including a lovely piece
on the “magnificent Library featured in Beauty
and the Beast Movie”) and of course, tons
of book suggestions. Spence’s commentary
spans diverse genres from romance to scifi,
horror, and even cookbooks. I loved her
humor and insights about books, reading and
librarian tasks.
Backman’s novella, And Every Morning
the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, is
a cerebral homage to family relationships
that endure despite misunderstandings, illness
and even death. Part of the book takes
place in a town square that represents what
a grandfather grappling with Alzheimer’s
remembers of his life. As he loses parts of
himself, struggling each day to recall the
people, places and events that shaped his
experiences, glimpses are interspersed of the
grandfather’s life and relationships with his
son, grandson and wife. I appreciated the
graceful way Backman captured the time
loss and confusion that many people with
Alzheimer’s experience and his beautiful
handling of sensitive topics such as death
and mental illness. Best read with tissues
nearby, I found this slender tome elegant,
gently comical and profoundly moving.
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by
Fredrik Backman.
To check out or browse more quick reads,
please visit the library to apply for your free
library card. Many are available in a variety
of formats including eBook, audiobook or
Large Type. •
Dear Fahrenheit 451: A Librarian’s Love Letters and Break-Up
Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence.
Kristina Kora-Beckman.
We Will Never Forget
28th MAY
Herald Publications will be Closed on Monday, May 28.
Enjoy the day with your family and friends.
Morgan Rojas.
“Doing a documentary
is about discovering, being open,
learning, and following curiosity.”
– Spike Jonze