This hand has hi-fived many more interesting people than yours. For real.
"In all my years, I've never had a standing ovation ... I guess this Canada is all right after all."
Legendary documentarian - and at 83, a spritely octogenarian - Albert Maysles graced Vancouver with two nights of his undeniable charm.
On Friday, April 30, Pacific Cinémathèque screened both (in 35 mm!) Gimme Shelter (1970) and Grey Gardens (1975), the latter introduced by Mr. Maysles after a brief Q&A. The next night Capilano University hosted a wonderful evening of retrospective clips and conversation led by Katherine Monk. Monk unintentionally supplied the evening's Moment of Awesome when inquiring about some of Mr Maysles' more memorable and poignant encounters with his subjects by asking, "How did Fidel (Castro) touch you?"
Maysles and Monk with a young Big Edie Bouvier
Maysles was as delightful and thoughtful as one could have hoped for, recounting everything from filming John and Jackie Kennedy (Primary, 1960) riding in limousines with The Beatles (What's Happening! The Beatles in the USA 1964), spending time with Marlon Brando and Truman Capote (Meet Marlon Brando and A Visit with Truman Capote, 1966) imbibing in a touch of the yayo with Mick Jagger and Keith Richard (Gimme Shelter) and time spent with both Big and Little Edie (Grey Gardens) of whom he lovingly said, "They're just like anyone else ... but more so."
