A MAYSLES SCRAPBOOK: Photographs / Cinemagraphs / Documents
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Book Summary Information
Editor: Steven KasherEditor: Michael Chaiken
Editor: Sara Maysles
Foreword: Martin Scorsese
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-03-01
ISBN: 3865214967
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Steidl
Book Reviews of A MAYSLES SCRAPBOOK: Photographs / Cinemagraphs / Documents
Book Review: A Treasure Trove from an American Master
Summary: 5 Stars
Albert Maysles is an undisputed master of documentary film and this book is a beautiful tribute to his work. As importantly, it serves as a reminder of his incredible ability to recognize and capture rare moments of raw humanity. The book features photographs, documents and cinemagraphs (a new word for me that apparently means film stills) arranged in rough chronological order to tell the story of his artistic life through his own images.
The photographs are an absolute revelation. While it is well known that he and his brother David amassed a body of work that rivals that of any filmmaker or filmmaking team in all of cinema history, it has been relatively unseen until now how well his art translates into still imagery. Each photo hints at some untold story and shows the same intimacy with the subjects that the Maysles brothers were known for in their films. Additionally the photos are an incredible record of a life that took him to all corners of the earth. From his motorcycle trips across Eastern Europe and Russia in the fifties to intimate moments with his children, everything is captured here through his unique eye.
The book has sections on many of the Maysles brothers' films (both the famous works like Grey Gardens and their lesser known fare like their documentary about Communist Cuba). Fans of the films , and film history in general, will be thrilled with all of the rare, previously unpublished and candid images of the subjects of the films. The Rolling Stones, the Beales, Truman Capote, Muhammad Ali and the four Bible salesman from "Salesman" all make appearances in photos and beautifully restored cinemagraphs.
The documents are also treasures. Production notes, hand written letters from the subjects of the films and from Maysles's contemporaries provide historical insight and an intriguing window into the filmmaking process.
For fans of the Maysles brothers, this book is indispensable. Beautiful subject matter, beautiful restorations, and a beautiful book design. I would also think that film buffs of all kinds would revel in its details and images. Lastly, it's fascinating to me as a history buff. It's undeniable that Albert Maysles filmed and photographed some the last century's most important figures - JFK, Ali, Capote, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Fidel Castro, etc. And this book, more than any I've seen, captures a distinctly human side to all of those larger than life luminaries.
One last thing: the informal "scrapbook"-style layout of the book suits the candid, documentary style of Albert Maysles more than a formal coffee-table art book ever could. Great decision on the editors' part. And I forgot to mention the wonderful intro from Marty Scorcese!
All in all, a great contribution to my book collection.
Summary of A MAYSLES SCRAPBOOK: Photographs / Cinemagraphs / Documents
A Maysles Scrapbook: Photographs/Cinemagraphs/Documents is the first comprehensive monograph on the pioneer filmmaking team that set the standards of contemporary documentary filmmaking: their Grey Gardens (1976) has spawned several fashion collections, an award-winning Broadway musical and a soon-to-be-released feature film starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange; Gimme Shelter (1970), which captured the infamous and fatal Rolling Stones concert at Altamont, is often called the greatest documentary ever made on the American 1960s; and Salesman (1968) is widely credited as the first feature-length documentary to eliminate voice-over narration and the first to achieve wide theatrical distribution. With David on sound and Albert behind the camera, the Maysles were absolutely pivotal in creating the Cinema Verite, or Direct Cinema, movement of the 1950s and 60s, and, along with Frederick Wiseman, Richard Leacock, D.A. Pennebaker and Robert Drew, are among the progenitors of modern documentary cinema. The recent discovery of a cache of original film negatives, plus hours of outtake film, numerous stills, production notes and personal and business letters is the occasion for this retrospective publication and exhibition. Using the latest digital technology to scan and print from original footage, images from both major and lesser-known films are reproduced, alongside significant writings by Albert and others (many published for the first time). With further contributions from admirers and collaborators including Pennebaker, Leacock, Elliot Erwitt, Bruce Davidson and Norman Mailer, and an introduction by Martin Scorsese, this volume is a long-awaited testament to one of the most important and influential filmmaking teams of our time.Photography Books
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