"Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami" (2018 release from the UK; 115 min) opens with Grace performing "Slave to the Rhythm" in concert as the opening credits roll. She greets fans after the show, and then is off to Jamaica, where she meets up with family and friends. At this point we are 10 min into the movie.
Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from Sophie Fiennes (yes, sister of Ralph). Here she is given seemingly unfettered access to Grace Jones over a period of years. More importantly, it is also understood that this is a Grace Jones-approved film in every way. This is not your typical music documentary. Fiennes does not dig into the "rise" of Grace Jones, and hence pays very little attention on how it is that she became an icon in the first place. It is simply understood and accepted that she is. The documentary is hence roughly divided up into two parts (recent concert footage; looking at Grace Jones' personal life today). While I'm sure it is all well intended, it nevertheless left me scratching my head. First, do I know Grace Jones any better after seeing this? (Not really.) Second, I am flabbergasted that the documentary ignores the past. Grace Jones was around 70 years young when this was filmed, and she continues to tour. Sadly I've never had the chance of seeing her in concert. I've never understood why festivals like Coachella and Bonnaroo (which I both attended for years a while back) didn't get her to play.
"Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami" was released in the UK in 2018, but for some reason I wasn't aware of this until recently when HBO Max "suggested" it to me based on my viewing habits. As a big fan of Grace Jones, I nevertheless was underwhelmed by this and in the end this was not my cup of tea. Of course if you are a Grace Jones fan, I'd readily suggest you check this out, with low(er) expectations, and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from Sophie Fiennes (yes, sister of Ralph). Here she is given seemingly unfettered access to Grace Jones over a period of years. More importantly, it is also understood that this is a Grace Jones-approved film in every way. This is not your typical music documentary. Fiennes does not dig into the "rise" of Grace Jones, and hence pays very little attention on how it is that she became an icon in the first place. It is simply understood and accepted that she is. The documentary is hence roughly divided up into two parts (recent concert footage; looking at Grace Jones' personal life today). While I'm sure it is all well intended, it nevertheless left me scratching my head. First, do I know Grace Jones any better after seeing this? (Not really.) Second, I am flabbergasted that the documentary ignores the past. Grace Jones was around 70 years young when this was filmed, and she continues to tour. Sadly I've never had the chance of seeing her in concert. I've never understood why festivals like Coachella and Bonnaroo (which I both attended for years a while back) didn't get her to play.
"Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami" was released in the UK in 2018, but for some reason I wasn't aware of this until recently when HBO Max "suggested" it to me based on my viewing habits. As a big fan of Grace Jones, I nevertheless was underwhelmed by this and in the end this was not my cup of tea. Of course if you are a Grace Jones fan, I'd readily suggest you check this out, with low(er) expectations, and draw your own conclusion.