By The Ways, A Journey With William Eggleston

Two films about the American photographer William Eggleston in the space of the year, isn’t that rather a lot? No. Eggleston, who has been regarded as the godfather of modern colour photography since his controversial entrance into the international art world in 1978, is an important inspiration for many contemporary film makers, from Dennis Hopper to Sofia Coppola and Gus van Sant. His photographs share with today’s films a super-sharp, hyper coloured portrayal of post-modern surroundings. That the slightly eccentric gentleman from Memphis has now allowed no less than two film crews into his life – see also William Eggleston in the Real World – does not mean that he has suddenly become very talkative. Neither film wants to put an end to the many stories and anecdotes about his person. The French film makers Laty and Gérard have made a special, colourful and original guide to the world of Eggleston. The photographer can be seen at work, but also as an actor and improvising musician. Friends including David Byrne and neighbour Tav Falco tell anecdotes, but this is not a straightforward biography. The film makers react to Eggleston’s photographs with cinematographic compositions. In this way, they produce an alternative travelogue to the South of the United States, in which an excursion to Rome has a striking and fascinating effect. The result is an idiosyncratic, lively portrait made from many angles. See also Stranded in Canton. (GT)

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