All the praise to Blair and her transparency. However, I'm definitely familiar with who she is and I think at least knowing she's a talented and charismatic person is enough context going in. She is, indeed, outstandingly open in Rachel Fleit’s Presenting, Selma Blair. You must be logged in to post a comment Mobile site. Directed by Rachel Fleit. She maintains a good sense of humor about herself. © Letterboxd Limited. Viewers are taken into exam rooms, hospital beds and quarantine chambers as Selma Blair undergoes experimental chemotherapy and stem cell treatment for her MS and we watch as she recollects the darker moments of her life. Reviews were compiled in no particular order. i am going think about her yelling “i like you!!!!! We see her at her complete lowest. Didn’t think I could love Selma Blair more, but then I saw this. Login, Copyright © Starry Constellation Magazine. 2021 By blending personal recording captured by Selma Blair and friends with standard documentary-style footage and interviews, Rachel Fleit carefully paints a portrait of Selma’s physical and emotional health as her disease progresses. “Introducing, Selma Blair” is not the easiest watch, following Blair as she wrestles with the intense symptoms of the disease, an intense stem-cell treatment to try and ease those symptoms and perhaps most powerfully, her mortality. We follow her intensive stem cell transplant, which includes bouts of extreme isolation, near 0% immune system levels, and weeks of limitless pain. The director believes there are many lessons viewers can take from Blair. It's the bravest display of personal exposure I've seen from a celebrity totally unafraid to show herself at her most vulnerable. Yet, the driving force of this film is rooted in Blair’s wit, which sings to her resilience. You can't watch this scene without feeling profoundly moved. While this Documentary decidedly creates a deep sense of compassion toward Selma it's also difficult to not view it as a work of ego. I almost felt like I shouldn’t have such intimate access to some of the footage in this documentary - bravo to Selma for allowing the film makers to show some truly raw and soul bearing videos about her battle with multiple sclerosis that make us feel as if we are as close to her as family. Introducing, Selma Blair might seem like an odd title considering the titular actress has been in several high-profile projects and mega-hit films. In August 2018, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. wow. It’s an intimate and compassionate look into Blair’s personal life, with some impressively personal access. It's really all about the battle with MS and mortality rather than anything related to show business and it's devastating and cathartic, often focusing on the brutal details. Words cannot describe the different things I felt while watching this documentary. Blair’s earlier days were somewhat wild, but she describes wanting to be a better person now. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Selma Blair is an actress that I sort of grew up with (if you figure you're still growing in your 20s) and I was a little scared to see what the disease had done to her. She admits to sometimes being a drama queen. Without this mutual trust and respect, Introducing, Selma Blair would not be as successful as it is. Per its (syntactically wrong) title, the film is a renewed introduction of sorts to the Brutal Aims and Legitimately Blonde co-star (Blair was in every case acutely mindful of her place in Hollywood as a supporting entertainer, she says). Later this year she’ll be back onscreen when a documentary, Introducing, Selma Blair, streams on Discovery+. "I always thought I was in a documentary and thought only God would see it.". We see one of her two sisters being supportive (the other I don’t think wanted to be on camera). At this stage in her life, nothing is more important to Blair than being a … SXSW 2021 Greetings again from the darkness. Selma Blair actress who came on the scene in 1999, best known for kissing Sarah Michelle Gellar in Cruel Intentions was diagnosed with MS in 2017. This documentary was extremely well pieced together, it was educational, sometimes sad, but also incredibly uplifting; she didn't refrain from showing that she was struggling with her day to day, and we were given a real look at her journey over the past few years. Her strength to endure this and allow it to be filmed is all the more humanizing to this horrible disease. Introducing, Selma Blair is produced by LD’s Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon with Troy Nankin. Her love for her young son Arthur is heartwarming, giving her the courage to keep going. Each of these elements is equally important for viewers to finally meet Selma Blair as she is today. Films that are more popular on Letterboxd compared to IMDb. Very brave to share, and very difficult to watch, I'm very glad I checked this one out as my first ever film at SXSW. Now, her experience of living with the autoimmune disease is the subject of a new documentary, "Introducing, Selma Blair." Made by fans in Auckland, New Zealand. I hesitated watching this because I've only seen Selma Blair in one film and I haven't even seen it in 15 years (Hellboy). I’m not always a spiritual person, but watching Blair grapple with her MS diagnosis with so much dignity will make you believe in the power of the human spirit. It is a candid account that really hit hard, especially after knowing someone who has gone through it. The documentary will air on Discovery+ later this year. Whether it's navigating the stairs on all fours, getting a boost up to the saddle of her beloved horse, or showing off her glittery turbans and walking canes, the showmanship of actress Selma Blair seems ever-present despite the severe effects of … This diagnosis and Selma’s continued experiences living with the autoimmune disease are the central focus of the film. The raw emotion on display in this documentary is truly inspiring. It didn't win a prize for intimacy at SXSW for nothing. Her journey, nothing short of admirable. But Selma is a pillar of strength and courage even when she's falling apart from pain. I have a friend who is currently going through early stages of…, Check out the official top 100 narrative feature films by women directors list. In late 2018 Selma Blair revealed to the world that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) after experiencing unprecedented mobility issues. Enjoy! More details at Selma Blair (TV's "Anger Management," "American Crime Story") is by… Cass Bird is EP The deal was negotiated by Endeavor Content on behalf of the filmmakers. Double Click and download area will appear table counter will bring you Introducing, Selma Blair (2021) torrent or direct download you have chosen. I've only ever known Selma Blair from her roles in Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, and a voice cameo in Scream 2, and seeing her story about her battles with health was encouraging on a whole other level. Notes toward a Letterboxd canon: Better on Letterboxd. This was a harrowing and yet comforting watch about Selma Blair's battle with MS. Likewise, Selma’s vulnerability and trust in Fleit’s handling of her story is palpable throughout the film. [SXSW Film Festival] By Hunter Heilman on March 21, 2021 • ( 0). Introducing, Selma Blair rips the Band-Aid off society’s view of chronic illness with a raw portrayal of her medical diagnosis that is authenticated in its emotional and physical intensity. IMDb Who ever knew Selma Blair was such a cool person? It’s heartbreaking, but also joyful and hopeful. In progress, so forgive me for any missing films you think should…, The Festiville team’s top ten feature-length picks (and two short films we loved) from the 2021 online edition of the…. A deeply intimate and raw portrait of Selma Blair after she is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and tries to slow the progression of her disease. MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. SXSW FILM #5tell me you have mommy issues, without telling me you have mommy issues . By: Maggie Stankiewicz Rachel Fleit’s Introducing, Selma Blair is not only a vehicle for its titular star’s raw introspection, but a harrowing account of living with chronic illness. Supporting actress Selma Blair is known to late-1990s and early-2000s audiences who have seen her from everything to Cruel Intentions to Legally Blonde. This documentary abandons the illusion of documentarian objectivity, resulting in an intimate and empathetic video diary of a woman suffering, then surviving in pursuit of thriving. The result is an honest, heart-wrenching memento of Selma’s journey, from diagnosis to experimental treatments and beyond. I hope the film makes some feel less alone as they go through similar terrifying circumstances. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease where the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. Directed by Rachel Fleit. Selma is not her disease and her life isn’t solely defined by her circumstances. I don’t know a lot about MS. Loved this film saw at sxsw, really vulnerable performances and sensitive voice as a filmmaker. Rachel Fleit directs 'Introducing, Selma Blair,' a documentary about the actor's life with multiple sclerosis and her pursuit of a long and grueling treatment for it. Life should be treasured! … Probably one of the most viscerally honest and raw accounts of illness I’ve seen in some time, akin to The Father. Introducing, Selma Blair, directed by Rachel Fleit, is a deeply intimate and moving documentary that explores the actor’s battle with multiple sclerosis, and her decision to undergo a controversial and harrowing treatment for it.. Blair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in August of 2018. The film understands this and is careful not to undercut her accomplishments and missteps as an artist, a daughter, a mother and a patient. Introducing, Selma Blair opens with Blair applying her Norma Desmond make-up and ends with her floating face-down in a pool, wearing a dress her mother coveted. Editor’s Note: The SXSW Snapshot series is a collection of short reviews from our coverage of the 2021 South by Southwest online film festival. Report this film. With the second half of the documentary focusing more on Blair receiving stem cell treatment, it is clear that this documentary demonstrates a remarkable amount of trust between Blair and director Rachel Fleit. All documentaries about women (and girls) are welcome!! Not just classy tears, but full on sobs. Finally telling her story, Introducing, Selma Blair is one of the more heartbreaking—yet heartwarming—documentaries to watch. It cover the film festival from 1994 to…. "Introducing, Selma Blair" hopes to show people a glimpse of it. Be on the lookout for more snapshots. This is one of the best documentary discoveries of the festival. In the documentary, “Introducing, Selma Blair,” the actress/model welcomes audiences into her home, as the reclusive star battles inner demons and a ruthless disability. The 28th annual SXSW Film Festival takes place in the format SXSW Online from March 16–20, 2021. every feature film i’ve seen from 2021, loosely ranked (based on U.S. release dates). Since she found herself disabled,…. The 48-year-old star, who has been open about her trials and tribulations with her more than 2.4 million-follower Instagram feed, is taking her journey to the SXSW Film Festival, where the documentary debuted on Tuesday. While that film is fiction and this is nonfiction, the lengths of heartbreak, agony, melancholy, hope, joy and despair I felt throughout both were still immeasurable nonetheless. Antonio Quintero 2,861 films 149 4 Edit, Created a list of all the films that have played at SXSW. Real Lives, Real Women: Documentaries About Women, 28th SXSW / South by Southwest Film Festival (2021). The doc itself can be a little indulgent and uneven but I understand the desire to chronicle such an important process in one's life. With Selma Blair. Since then she’s been dealing with at times severely debilitating symptoms. Selma Blair can vividly remember when she knew she might be dealing with a health issue.. I love Selma Blair and wish her the best. It is, at times, humorous and heartbreaking.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'starrymag_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',133,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'starrymag_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',133,'0','1'])); .medrectangle-3-multi-133{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-top:15px !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Home › Reviews › Riveting documentary “Introducing, Selma Blair” captures the spirit of a person unbroken. This documentary abandons the illusion of documentarian objectivity, resulting in an intimate and empathetic video diary of a woman suffering, then surviving in pursuit of thriving. This doc is distributed by DiscoveryPlus, not sure when it will be available to stream. TMDb But this movie doesn’t fall prey to the voyeuristic clichés of those before it. Introducing, Selma Blair only works because of Blair’s unfettered honesty. The doc follows her journey with stem cell replacement which is sometimes hard to watch, but never boring or too depressing. It will leave you with a newfound respect for Blair, as it shows an unfiltered look of someone living with a chronic illness. It feels like a gift to be granted insight into these moments of Selma’s life, in the same way that it feels like a blessing to build an emotionally intimate relationship with friends and family. Telling the story of actress Selma Blair and her struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, the documentary Introducing, Selma Blair was one of the more emotional watches at this year’s SXSW. It’s an intimate and compassionate look into Blair’s personal life, with some impressively personal access. "That's really the saddest thing for me...." -Selma Blair. This labor of love between director Rachel Fleit and Selma Blair is a first-hand account of life with chronic illness and disability. can’t think of another one of these celebrity docs that i‘ve found so rich and compelling. There's a narrative throughline of how she's always been a supporting actress, and…. Introducing, Selma Blair is a tough watch at times. And we could all take a few moments to sit down and listen to a life that’s been lived, and is still living, under unimaginable but very real circumstances. The film lives up to its promise, granting viewers a never-before-seen glimpse into the life and psyche of Selma Blair, a great talent whom many thought they’d seen the last of. Above trailer, you can see Torrent Introducing, Selma Blair (2021) box & Watch Online Introducing, Selma Blair (2021) Sources available along with information, choose between them. SXSW documentary Introducing, Selma Blair, is a deeply moving, and emotionally unflinching, film examining the actress’s arduous journey to feel normal again after being diagnosed with MS back in 2018. Year: 2021 Runtime: 90 minutes Director: Rachel Fleit Star: Selma Blair By Joan Amenn “Introducing, Selma Blair,” the SXSW Jury Awards Winner of Special Jury Recognition for Exceptional Intimacy in Storytelling, is a deeply engrossing, courageously revealing journey of one woman’s struggle with a debilitating disease. “Introducing, Selma Blair” is hard to watch in such moments, as it is in scenes from the actor’s own cellphone video diary, as she lies weeping and bedbound, her body a frozen quiver of pain. so difficult, but also really wonderful. Recs welcome! Then the movie is a little hard to watch. Later this year, Discovery+ will stream her new documentary, 'Introducing, Selma Blair,' which premiered at SXSW in March. INTRODUCING SELMA BLAIR In 2018, actress Selma Blair (of “Cruel Intentions” and “Legally Blonde” fame) was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) … 'S a narrative throughline of how she 's not rooted in Blair ’ s an intimate and compassionate look Blair... 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