Albert Maysles - Grey Gardens: showing the film to the Beales (71/97)

To listen to more of Albert Maysles’ stories, go to the playlist: • Albert Maysles - Thoug...
Albert Maysles (1926-2015) was known for his important documentaries on Muhammad Ali, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. He pioneered the documentary style known as Direct Cinema and helped create techniques still used in modern documentary production and in reality TV. [Listeners: Sara Maysles, Rebekah Maysles and Tamara Tracz; date recorded: 2004]
TRANSCRIPT: Once we finished the film, we wanted the first people to see it, would be the mother and her daughter; so we brought the film to Grey Gardens with a projector, we showed it to them and there was a moment of silence and then Edie walked back and forth in the room and in an extremely loud voice shouted- the Maysles have created a classic! So we knew right away that the film was approved, and quite heartily. All of that being in great contrast to some of the reviews that we got where we were criticized for exploiting these women, whatever. Some people just don't understand the difference between getting to know somebody very intimately and somehow or other hurting them and exploiting them. There's an interesting word in this regard. It shows you how cockeyed this culture is with regard to people getting to know one another on an intimate level. The word is: vulnerability. And somehow when- when one speaks of another person candidly, exposing their inner thoughts to another person, whereas oh, their vulnerabilities. As if- as if through the process of being very open with another person you're going to get hurt. Because- because that's what the word vulnerable means. You're- you're exposing yourself to the possibility of getting hurt. Now, now why people choose that word rather than another word- I don't even know what that other word would be- but a word that expresses the notion that by opening your heart and soul to another person you're doing something healthful and beneficial- something that shows your strength and adds to your strength; which I think is the case of what happened with the Beale's. I think that their- their opportunity to be recognized as artists, as women of creative fashion, of, of an eccentric- an eccentricity that nevertheless was, was a love story- there was a genuine and beautiful love between these two women under odd circumstances. But people use this word vulnerable. I would like to find out what that word is or see a word invented that expresses the fact that people can be benefited in a very positive way by sharing their thoughts and emotions with other people. We seem to stress the fact- oh, you're going to be hurt if you- if you tell people who you really are. I don't go with that.

[@maryrohner215]

Little Edie was a beautiful woman,in fact so was her mother. At a time when they were at their worst,the Maysels brought light into their lives. These two men made them feel important again.

[@vickiezaccardo1711]

I love every second of seeing the original footage of these amazing women. The people whi nay- say and say that Big Edie was a horrid woman who destroyed her daughter' s life are clearly lacking perspective. There is a deep love story here, complicated as all love stories and intimate relationships are. Thank you for bringing us these charming, fascinating women. Long live the memory of Big Edie and Little Edie❤

[@corineusa1454]

You are so absolutely right.👍

[@PoppyMack]

you get it

[@Reitz86]

Thank you for such a great documentary !

[@heatherspence3848]

❤

[@amycrunch3812]

The Beales?

[@TBrl8]

Ian.

[@mrluck5846]

Did they make a dime from it?

[@erics8757]

I'm also curious to know if they received any percentage of any profits. If they didn't, they were indeed exploited.

[@MichelleonSunset]

I don’t think ANYONE made any money from this up until the Criterion Collection released a dvd. This doc was criticized and not very well received when it was released.

[@jamessandy5873]

The Maysles gave them $10,000.

[@coreyhenry1084]

“Edie said it you created a classic” says Mayseles. BOTH his subjects were named Edie & he couldn’t even explain which one ? How ridiculous

[@FantasticOtto]

I would think it's quite clear that it's Little Edie he's referring to, as her mother was addressed as Mrs. Beale and not really able to "walk back and forth in the room" as he put it. In addition, the way he describes her outburst seems to fit the daughter's flamboyance more than the mother's.

[@jacqui2651]

@@FantasticOtto Excellent point plus Big Edie was not capable of walking back and forth in a room, its obvious to whom he is referring to.

[@RaulAPinto]

Big Edie could not walk, so I get it was Little Edie