Tag: Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025

STYLE

Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion

What can be said about Bob Mackie – also referred to as the “Sultan of Sequins,” and the king of Hollywood’s red carpet?  

Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) 2025

For starters; his designs are synonymous with extravagance, glitter, and creativity, making him a legend in the world of fashion and costume design.  ALL the biggest stars wear (0r have worn) Bob Mackie.

This wonderful and glamorous documentary, part of the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025, was my personal favourite.

“Naked Illusion” celebrates the legendary costume designer’s six-decade career of iconic, over-the-top creations which earned him nine Emmy Awards, three Academy Award nominations, and a Tony Award. This delightful documentary offers a glittering cavalcade of Mackie’s celebrity clients including Cher, Carol Burnett, P!nk, and Tom Ford as they offer an inside look at his dazzling legacy.  See trailer below.

And what a legacy he created!

THIS iconic dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday Mr. President” to JFK.

There were a few surprises that the audience was not expecting.  For one; finding out that Mackie is a grandfather and great grandfather.  Finding  out that this was a surprise for him too.

The world premiere of the “Naked Issusion” was held in May at The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles.  It was a legendary evening with Bob Mackie, Carol Burnett, RuPaul, Cher & Friends.

At the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Mackie was here in person and went on stage for a Q&A after the showing.

I’m lucky to have met Mackie on three separate occasions.  His book signing for “The Art of Bob Mackie,” at the Annenberg theatre for a play about “Edith Head” and recently at the Camelot theatre before the “Naked Illusion”screening. He’s very down to earth, a gentleman and  looks much younger than his 85 years.

Outside the Annenberg Theatre before the show. The actress (Susan Claassen) who played Edith Head is friend of Mackie’s. He told me that Edith Head gave him his start in the business when he worked as her assistant.
This was at the Camelot theatre in Palm Springs.

Here are some of the more famous creations he designed:

  • Cher’s 1974 Met Gala dress: A sheer, sequin-covered, feathered dress that was so shocking it was banned from some newsstands. Cher later wore it on the cover of Time magazine. 
  • Cher’s 1986 Academy Awards dress: A sequined caged top and a towering headpiece. When she came out and announced “I wanted to dress like a serious actress.”
  • Marilyn Monroe’s nude gown: The dress she wore to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. 
  • Elton John as Donald Duck: Mackie dressed Elton John as Donald Duck, complete with a tail and webbed feet. 
  • Costumes for The Carol Burnett Show: Mackie designed up to 70 costumes for Carol Burnett and her guests each week.   
  • See TRAILER below:

Film Reviews

Diane Warren:Relentless

Part of the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025.

Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025

You might not know her; but if you don’t know her songs, then you’ve been living under a rock.

Diane Warren: Relentless is a raw, in-depth documentary about the most persistent songwriter in show business. 

A “BEST OF FEST” audience favorite from hollywood’s most coveted songwriter – with Beyoncé, Cher, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand and Toni Braxton among her many devotees.

Warren describes herself as weird; doesn’t like the word NO, is worth billions but not interested in spending it and prefers animals to people.  But who can blame her on that one?

This sensitive, snappy but mesmerizing woman has been nominated for 15 Oscars® – and never won.  She has been nominated for multiple Oscars for Best Original Song, including for her song “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” from the movie Armageddon, sung by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.  It’s such a beautiful song but there are so many more. Instead, she was the first songwriter to receive a well-deserved honorary Oscar at the 13th Governors Awards in November 2022.

I personally tend to gravitate towards documentaries and this one is one of my favorites.  It’s an uplifting story that goes to prove how a rebellious, anti-social child from humble beginnings with a mother who kept hounding her to become a secretary, can become one of the great songwriters of all time.  An amazing accomplishment!

“Relentless” is a powerful adjective. It describes someone or something that is unyielding, persistent, and, often, unshakable. Someone who pursues their goals with unwavering determination, never giving up despite obstacles or challenges. They are tireless in their efforts and continue to push forward, no matter what.

Diane Warren was supposed to be here in person for a Q&A after the film but very sadly, her Malibu home was totally destroyed in the recent L.A. fires.  Bess Kargman, the director, put Warren on speaker phone so that audience members could ask a few questions.

The festival is now over but I’ve left the link to what was shown here:

https://www.psfilmfest.org/

FOLLOW the Festival on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (Instagram: @psfilmfest | Facebook: PalmSpringsFilmFestival | Twitter: @PSFilmFest) and use #PSIFF2025.

Art & Culture

Schindler Space Architect

Part of the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival – 2025.

“The sense for the perception of architecture is not the eyes – but living. Our life is its image” – Rudolph Schindler

Photo courtesy of Palm Springs International Film Festival.

If you love art and architecture, then you need to see this important and informative documentary about great modernist architect Rudolph Schindler. Schindler’s body of work which he referred to as “Space Architecture” was focused primarily on the design of interior space.  And it is impressive.  Each living space is a work of art.

With so much richness and history here, it occurred to me how difficult it must be to put a documentary together with an over abundance of information on one person with such a wide body of work.  Valentina Ganeva manages to give us an educational and stylish film which is sure to inspire. Narrated by Meryl Streep and Udo Kier. 

Schindler, for those not familiar, was the first architect to introduce the indoor/outdoor living concept in California. That especially, I can relate to and appreciate.  He combined multi-functional space with an abundance of natural light through strategically placed windows, skylights and doors. Light and space play crucial roles in creating a harmonious and inviting environment.

The late Austrian-born, American architect had a unique perspective by creating simple but functional and luxurious designs incorporating an expression of his specific ideas, almost entirely in Southern California in the early to mid 20th century.

He was famous for his style of meeting the needs of each client and site, often designing on the challenging hillside lots that his clients could afford. He worked within the budget of each client. One of his most beloved residential designs is the Tischler House (Westwood, 1949). 

Schindler developed a style at once distinctly modern and uniquely adaptive to local culture and climatic conditions. A true blend of artist and engineer, Schindler constantly experimented with materials, construction techniques, and the composition of space.

Schindler was a pioneer who broke from the International Style of the moment to do things “his way.”  Richard Neutra was his bitter rival; Frank Lloyd Wright a difficult mentor.  Both of these architects took some ideas from Schindler but did not offer credit.

This doc is also a study on human character – it’s good side and it’s disappointments.  It would be nice if people gave credit where credit is due, but we find out that this is not the case when both Neutra and Wright purposely keep Schindler out of some very significant acknowledgments.  What I like about Schindler is that he stuck to his original ideas without becoming conformist to what other architects deemed were the unwritten rules of the times. 

We also find out that both Neutra and Wright decide to make amends at the end of their life but instead of pointing a finger, Schindler decides to gracefully accept their apologies. Bittersweet moments.

At the Q&A at the end of the film, an audience member asked how Ganeva was able to get Streep to agree to narrate the film.  Someone she  knows is a friend of a relative of Streep’s and as it so happens, the actress knows a few people who live in Schindler designed homes and was more than happy to lend her voice. Udo Kier is a German born character actor who lives in Palm Springs.  Both Valentina and Udo were here in person.  This is Valentina’s first documentary.  Funnily enough, she used to be a movie critic in Bulgaria.

Photo: d. king – Q&A

This documentary will also be featured as part of Modernism Week here in Palm Springs.

Bravo for a work well done!

Palm Springs International Film Festival Tickets.  On until January 13th:

https://www.psfilmfest.org/

For more indepth information on Schindler I found this:

https://www.laconservancy.org/learn/architect-biographies/r-m-schindler/

FOLLOW the Festival on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (Instagram: @psfilmfest | Facebook: PalmSpringsFilmFestival | Twitter: @PSFilmFest) and use #PSIFF2025.

Film Reviews

LIZA Documentary

A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story – part of the lineup at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The by-line above is part of the title of this remarkable documentary about everything Liza Minnelli.  Directed by Bruce David Klein.

Photo: courtesy of Palm springs International Film Festival.

That would be Liza with a “Z” (referring to the 1972 concert film made for television, produced by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse) who went on to win every entertainment award  you can imagine, in every single category, and who is refreshingly honest as she tells her story in present day while going through old movie clips and reliving those times.  She gives out solid advice like: “never hang around with dull people.”  From this doc it is clear she never has. I try not to, but sometimes they just happen to slip in.

As the daughter of Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, she could’ve easily lived in her mother’s shadow.  Instead, she became an iconic show biz force of her own nature.  You find out about the relationship with her mother, her bond with mentor Kay Thompson who took Liza under her wings after Judy Garland passed away, her friends such as Charles Aznavour (considered the Frank Sinatra of France), Bob Fosse, Halston (an inseparable duo in the 70’s and 80’s, regularly supporting each other’s careers, traveling internationally and taking on the Studio 54 nightclub scene), her up-and-down marriages, personal and professional falls and showbiz triumphs.

By the way, Kay Thompson was a force of her own. The vivacious vocal coach, composer, dancer, actress, and choreographer was a staple in Liza’s life.  She was there for Liza until the end of her life in 1998 at which time she lived in Minnelli’s penthouse on the Upper East Side. Thompson stayed by Liza’s side, through thick and thin, cheering her on through everything.  Thompson became famous for creating the Eloise children’s books which she apparently modeled the main character after Minnelli, and for her role in the movie Funny Face.  She helped shaped Minnelli’s career. Now; that’s a friend!

And I have a little story of my own. First off, I saw Liza Minnelli and Charles Aznavour perform together at Place Des Arts in Montreal in 1993.  It was superb.  I’ve always appreciated all kinds of music, and the sheer talent of these two.  I would’ve rather seen them, than a regular rock concert.  It was a very powerful, showstopper of an evening.

Then, on one of my many visits to New York City back in the day, I went with a friend to Elaine’s restaurant on the upper East side. We were finished dinner and debating whether or not to order dessert when all of a sudden Liza Minnelli and two of her friends came in and sat down at the very next table.  We ordered dessert.  After dessert I went to use the restroom and as I was washing my hands, a stall opened and out came Liza. We were the only two in the restroom and I did not utter a word – just a smile.  Back to the table to try to eavesdrop, but only a bit.  Ha.

Once again; while in the pass-holder lineup, I chatted with a woman who looked vaguely familiar.  Once inside the theater, we sat next to each other, realizing that we had been to not one, but two of the same events recently but sat at different tables. Then we went through our phone pics to confirm and to see if we could find each other in the photos.  She said “many people have more in common than not” which I also believe.  Except the only thing I have in common with Liza was being at the same restaurant and washing our hands together. I usually don’t get star struck but I clammed up.  I should’ve told her that I saw her concert with Aznavour in Montreal.  I think she would’ve been pleased.  Note to self: if I ever get the opportunity again, I will do so.

After watching this documentary, I have a new appreciation for Liza Minnelli.  She’s so much more than her most amazing Oscar-winning performance as Sally Bowles in the 1972 film Cabaret.  She’s a true friend who goes above and beyond as told by others such as Mia Farrow, Ben Vereen, Joel Grey, and Michael Feinstein. These friends share their insights and memories, providing a heartfelt and genuine portrait of Liza’s life and career.

Well worth the watch.

For Film FestivalTickets:

https://www.psfilmfest.org/
FOLLOW the Festival on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (Instagram: @psfilmfest | Facebook: PalmSpringsFilmFestival | Twitter: @PSFilmFest) and use #PSIFF2025.
Film Reviews

Shelf Life – PSIFF

My relationship with CHEESE is forever changed. 

Image courtesy of PSIFF

SHELF LIFE is part of the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF).

I had an idea that this film would be quirky, but no idea about how the director would make it so. Normally when you go on a documented culinary journey, no matter what the cuisine, it leaves you craving for that food.  You go because you’re a foodie and looking to find out more about a particular chef, or the origins of a certain dish or perhaps pick up some tips on how to prepare or serve it. 

Unlike the documentary I saw at VIFF “The Chef and the Daruma” where I wanted to go for sushi right after; “Shelf Life” makes me want to question any cheese I put in my mouth.  Says the woman who bit into a piece of soap thinking it was fudge because of its packaging.  Anyway, it was a very interesting doc nonetheless. The scenery is breathtaking and each cheese maker is passionate about what they do.

This was a mid-morning documentary held at the historic Palm Canyon Theatre; a former school gymnasium which was transformed into a local theatre by a family from Kentucky and is still thriving almost 30 years later.  This non-profit organization (on loan for PSIFF) is dedicated to the education of live stage productions for the enrichment of the greater Palm Springs community and its visitors. I love the feel of a rickety old-fashioned theatre with chandeliers.

Plus, you never know who you’re going to meet at 10:30 am in the pass holder line up for a film about cheese.  So many interesting patrons.  I met Jane, a pro film festival circuit regular who used to be Sonny Bono’s neighbor.  Bono; the late mayor of Palm Springs, founded the Palm Spring Film Festival in 1989.  It has grown substantially since then. We thank him for that, but also we thank him for helping discover a gal named Cher. Must say, the man had a good eye.

I also met a woman from Vancouver, BC seated in the next row who used to run the “Hollywood” theatre in Vancouver for many years. The very same elegant single-screen neighborhood cinema that I used to go to, especially for the $5 two-for-one ticketed Monday night special of movies that just left theatrical release. Best popcorn and Nanaimo Bars (only those in the know, know what that is).

But I totally digress….let’s get back to cheese.  The documentary runs some parallels between the shelf life of cheese to those of humans. Because over time, we all get moldy but I never realized that this film would make me question my own mortality.

We all have a shelf life and don’t get me started on all the living micro-organisms that live on cheese – at least at the start.  It’s not the most palatable or pleasing sight. And don’t think any of us were expecting that.  Blue cheese might have to take a back seat for a bit.

Director Ian Cheney takes us on a journey through the world of cheese from places we already know make it like England & Switzerland, to places we had no idea make (or used to make it) such as Egypt and Japan.  The cheese monger at the very beginning and ending of this intriguing and at times disturbing doc, reminded me a bit of John Malcovitch by his eccentric attitude and delivery.

After exiting the theatre I bumped into several people I know coming out of the same film.  This is a somewhat small resort town with cultured people who enjoy cheese and supporting our local film festival.  All in all, the reviews were mixed and thought-provoking for this unique documentary. 

Then they said “cheese” standing in front of the PSIFF backdrop.

This Film has an Inspired Dinner scheduled at Eight4Nine Restaurant on Wednesday, January 9th. Seperate ticket neccessary. Check here for availability

For Tickets:

https://www.psfilmfest.org/
FOLLOW the Festival on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (Instagram: @psfilmfest | Facebook: PalmSpringsFilmFestival | Twitter: @PSFilmFest) and use #PSIFF2025.
Film Reviews

Auction

The 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) kicked off on Thursday, January 2, with its Opening Night and its widely acclaimed *Talking Pictures program.

This review is for the movie “AUCTION;” an intriguing French drama, which I saw at the Annenberg Theatre (at the Palm Springs Art Museum) but there are a few more upcoming showings at the Camelot Theatre.  

Image courtesy of PSIFF.

I’ve always been intrigued by live auctions.  The adrenaline in the room is contagious. So far, I’ve only been to one live auction because I don’t want to run the risk of raising my hand again.

But really; I’m more intrigued by how art collectors know, or trust, why certain works of art are worth so much money. We’re not talking thousands, we’re talking millions. You must have a trained eye.  Then again, how do they determine the worth of a certain painting?  That was what got me to this movie.  The idea that a lost masterpiece from 1939, from an artist I’ve never heard of, was re-discovered in recent years in the home of a young man who inherited the home from his deceased grandfather. 

The young man noticed the painting in a book, so decided to contact a hotshot dealer to have the piece evaluated.  André Masson, specialist in modern art, receives a letter according to which a painting by Egon Schiele had been discovered in Mulhouse, France. 

Of course not being familiar with Schiele, I Googled him.  Of Austrian descent, he was known as an expressionist painter. It also noted that he was incestuously attracted to his sister Gerti, to the great consternation of their father (which makes sense, although father went on to die of syphilis himself). At age 16, Schiele took Gerti, then 12, by train to Trieste and spent the night with her.

What a lovely story.  Kidding of course.  A lot of artists of that era were tragic figures.

The painting in this film is slightly along the lines of  Van Gogh Sunflowers, if the sunflowers are on their way out.  It’s a dark painting with sad flowers -maybe alluding to how the artist himself felt at the time.

I also didn’t know that certain paintings were referred to as “degenerates” by the Germans during WWII.  The looted ones which they did not deem worthy were either destroyed or given to families who they considered lower class.  I’m guessing that is how the  grandfather ended up with the painting in the first place.

This thrilling French drama (with English subtitles),directed by Pascal Bonitzer, is filled with deceit, surprises, double dealings and a few little things that don’t make complete sense. But it is very interesting and always good to learn something new…or old in the world of Art.  Overall I enjoyed it very much.

The Fesival is on until January 13th.  For tickets:

https://www.psfilmfest.org/film-festival-2025
From Thursday, January 2 – Saturday, January 4, the *Talking Pictures program began with a Q&A following “A Real Pain” with actor, director and producer Jesse Eisenberg at the Annenberg Theater, “Sing Sing” followed by a Q&A with actor Colman Domingo, “Babygirl” followed by a Q&A with actress Nicole Kidman at the Richards Center for the Arts at Palm Springs High School, “Emilia Perez” presented by Kering followed by a Q&A with director Jacques Audiard and actors Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Edgar Ramírez, and “Wicked” followed by a Q&A with an extended introduction with actresses Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and director Jon M. Chu. 
 
FOLLOW the Festival on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (Instagram: @psfilmfest | Facebook: PalmSpringsFilmFestival | Twitter: @PSFilmFest) and use #PSIFF2025.
 
NOTE: If you attend the Annenburg Theatre make sure to bring a sweater.