Review of Starlet (2012) by Kathryn R — 28 Sep 2012

I had the privilege of not only attending a screening tonight at The Vancouver International Film Festival, but a Q&A session with Sean Baker as well. For a first time, untrained actor, at 85, Besedka Johnson blows me away. Stella Maeve impresses (method acting), and I am quite certain that despite the graphic nature of her Dree Hemingway's role, her great-grandfather and late Aunt Margeaux are incredibly proud of her.

The film is graphic, deep (no pun intended), and there's amazing tension between the characters. Despite being picked up by a U.S. distributor (nothing for Canada yet), due to the film's graphic content (penetrative and oral sex), and budget which doesn't allow for the expense of an NC-17 rating, this film won't be seen to impress a large audience. Therefore, again, I say it was a PRIVILEGE to take-in tonight's screening.