Well. That was an experience.

I don’t usually pick films labelled experimental as I find I just don’t have patience for them. This one though had Sophie von Haselberg (Bette Midler’s daughter) and an 80s TV variety show set so it intrigued me.

Directed by Amanda Kramer, it’s basically a one-hander with von Haselberg as rising star Sissy St Claire on her own TV special. Think 70s / 80s clothes, fuzzy camerawork and very low-tech special effects. Sissy monologues to camera in a series of scenes, intercut with titles and song and dance numbers. She’s a hopeful ingenue, a successful star, a paranoid celebrity. She reads fan mail and gives advice on being successful. All of the glitter and coloured lights aren’t enough to keep her from her own insecurities and she slowly spirals into psychedelic confusion. Or does she?

That’s pretty much it. Von Haselberg is excellent, the songs are catchy and the final monologue about Mindy’s dress is worth sticking around for.

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Have you seen this film? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.