The Vivian Maier Mystery

The Vivian Maier Mystery is an intriguing film that delves into the life of one of the most mysteriously enigmatic and prodigiously talented photographers of the 20th century - Vivian Maier. Released in 2013 and produced by BBC Arena, this documentary uncovers the mystifying story of this exceptionally talented artist whose genius was discovered posthumously.

The film commences by narrating the startling discovery of Maier's negatives in 2007, two years before her death. Her startling photographic works were stumbled upon at an auction in Chicago by local historian John Maloof, who subsequently undertook a mission to uncover the mysterious woman behind the astonishing photographs.

With more than 150,000 photographs in her collection, most of which are monochrome street photography, Vivian Maier captured intimate and nuanced snapshots of American life, primarily in Chicago during the latter half of the last century. She had a unique talent for drawing out the sublime beauty and complexity from the mundane, her photos transporting the viewer back to a bygone era with their raw, emotional appeal and depth.

The Vivian Maier Mystery asks key questions about Maier's life and work, as she was never recognized during her lifetime, and lived and died in obscurity. This stark contradiction between her immense talent and her unrecognized status forms a significant theme of the movie, contributing to a tale that is as tragic as it is captivating.

What sets this documentary apart is the remarkable lack of personal recognition that Maier sought - painting the image of a deeply introverted woman who harbored her artistic sensitivities in private. To the world, she was a caregiver and a nanny in Chicago's North Shore, living a life far removed from the glamour of gallery exhibits and artist recognition.

This documentary does well to piece together Maier's complicated life through interviews with the families she worked for, friends, art historians, and photography experts. Through these dialogues, the documentary manages to weave a somewhat coherent narrative, giving the viewer a glimpse into the secretive, elusive life of the 'Mary Poppins’ with a Rolleiflex around her neck.

This film cleverly mixes shots of her hauntingly beautiful photography, interspersed with clips of the neighborhoods she loved to photograph, thereby allowing the audience to see the world through her lens; it’s an intriguing, albeit vicarious, dive into her perception of the world.

The film, however, is more than just an exploration into Maier's photography. It untangles the complexities of her character, exploring how a woman who earned her livelihood as a nanny harbored such a profound photographic talent. It investigates why she chose anonymity over fame and why she hid such an enormous body of work away from the public eye. Director Jill Nicholls offers up a fascinating, thought-provoking study into the nature of genius, creativity, and the pervasive desire among artists to be recognized.

However, The Vivian Maier Mystery isn’t just a voyage into the life and art of an individual, it also presents a moral question for audiences to grapple with – who gets to tell the story of an artist's life after they're gone? As her photographic work was discovered after her death, the issue of ownership and rights to her art also surfaces in the documentary, sparking a fascinating conversation around archival preservation and the sanctity of an artist's legacy.

Deftly-paced and thoroughly engaging, The Vivian Maier Mystery offers an intimate look into the life and work of a woman widely regarded as one of America's greatest photographers, whose identity remained a puzzle unsolved until her death. Complementing the masterful storytelling is an eerie, atmospheric soundtrack that plays a crucial role in setting the tone of the documentary – a sense of discovery intertwined with a quiet sadness.

In conclusion, The Vivian Maier Mystery shines a spotlight on a talent hidden in plain sight, celebrates an extraordinary artist who walked among us unrecognized, and takes on us a journey that is as intricate as the mysteries it tries to unravel. It offers a poignant reminder of our innate desire to understand the unknown, to clarify the unclear, and to piece together the fragments of the lives lived alongside ours, but barely noticed.

For photography enthusiasts, art lovers, historians, or anyone who simply enjoys a good mystery, this documentary promises to be a memorable and compelling viewing.