It’s only through a work of love, and a strong belief in the power of a story, that one spends 11 years filming the life of another person.
Steven Sebring‘s Patti Smith: Dream of Life gives viewers an intimate peek inside the legendary artist’s life. Shot over a number of years, the film follows Smith in her daily roles, whether she’s being a mother or a rockstar. The dark, rough-around-the-edges yet somewhat glamorous style of the film represents well the artistic personality of both Smith and Sebring.
“My mission is to communicate, to wake people up, to give them my energy and accept theirs,” said Smith in her narration of the film.
If that was the goal, then Smith and Sebring have accomplished it.
The documentary has already earned the Excellence in Cinematography award at Sundance Film Festival in 2008, as well as global praise from critics. Now, for its debut on PBS’ distinguished documentary series this past December, the film is up for a Primetime Emmy. Nominated for exceptional merit in non-fiction filmmaking, this is Sebring’s first shot at an Emmy.
Smith is an important fixture in American culture. She is a singer, poet, activist and mother. Yet Sebring felt documenting her life, as the woman who encompasses all of these aspects, was important enough to spend years creating.
“Life is an adventure of our own design intersected by fate in a series of lucky and unlucky accidents,” Smith says in the film. “I had in mind to become an artist, poet, and through that pursuit I found the root of my voice.”
It appears Sebring has as well.
Photo 1 courtesy of Dream of Life the Movie, photo 2 by redbanshee via Flickr.