This documentary produced and directed by Shannah Laumeister (who was also married to Bert Stern from 2009 until his death in 2013) explores his life, career and loves of his life including dancer Allegra Kent who was his wife and mother of his 3 children named Susannah, Bret and Trista.
Bert did work for different companies including Vogue. He's not only taken many photographs for advertising but also of many famous people including Marilyn Monroe. He claimed to have loved her but that it wasn't much more than a 'photographic' relationship. His work with her was the last photo session she had before she was found dead. It also involved him a lawsuit.
It's interesting to note that Bert Stern died since this documentary by his wife was released.What a great tribute to this creative spirit...Bert Stern. BTW, in German 'Stern' means Star!
Anyone who wants to be inspired as an artist whether a photographer or any other kind of artist, will enjoy this film. Some of his photos are so beautiful and even very sensual.If you like photography or are interested in being inspired by some amazing photographs, be sure to see this film.
Here are some scenes from this film:
Some quotes from this film:
"I guess the pyramid was the best picture. Because it was so conceptual."---Bert Stern
"Our relationship in the beginning was more a photographic one that transformed into a more personal relationship. It was taboo. Kind of insane and kind of brilliant."--Shannah Laumeister
"I'm your mentor. You're my muse."---Bert to Shannah
"Beauty is power."---Bert Stern
"As if I throw pictures in the garbage pail."---Bert Stern
"Anything about Marilyn Monroe becomes overblown."---Bert Stern
"There were basically only two women in the world that interested me. One was Allegra Kent whom I was married to and the other was Marilyn Monroe."---Bert Stern
"You want to do nude."---Marilyn Monroe to Bert Stein
"Jean-Paul Sartre said, "Hell is other people."---Bert Stern
"I think success is a problem, huh? Makes you unhappy. You always want more. You always wanna do this, you wanna do that."---Bert Stern
"I shouldn't have been so happy so young. I should have saved it for now. Now I should be happy. When I need it. ---Bert Sern
"So I'm a prisoner of all the things I've done. And you can't undo it."---Bert Stern
"My life has been about discovery. About seeing....I mean that life keeps moving. So it's always over. You look at a guy, he walks by, he's gone. It's over, right? But if you have a picture of it, you have it forever.."---Bert Stern
"I always thought the picture I took was between me and the subject. Not the subject and not me, but the space between us. Because it's an invisible space. It's a space where anything can happen."---Bert Stern
Here's the official trailer for this film:
Note: After this film in 2014, there was a family feud. See this article online.
