The Disappearance of My Mother
Directed by Beniamino Barrese
The Disappearance of My Mother
Benedetta Barzini wants to disappear. An iconic fashion model in the 1960s, she became a muse to Warhol, Dali, Penn and Avedon. As a radical feminist in the 1970s, she fought for the rights and emancipation of women. But at the age of 75, she is fed up with all the roles that life has imposed on her and decides to leave everything and everybody behind, to disappear to a place as far as possible from the gaze of the camera. Only her son Beniamino is permitted to witness her journey. Having filmed her since he was a child despite her resistance, he now wants to make a film about her, to keep her close for as long as possible – or, at least, as long as his camera keeps running. The making of the film turns into a battle between mother and son, a stubborn fight to capture the ultimate image of Benedetta – that of her liberation.
Reviews
“Critic’s Pick! Mesmerizing, tender.”
“A portrait of a woman in rebellion. Makes the personal ferociously political.”
“Entertaining and dextrously crafted.”
“Remarkably enthralling.”
"Chronicles Barzini’s evolution from high fashion muse to radical feminist... a cinematic act of negotiation, acceptance and farewell between mother and son."
“A film that both beguiles and unsettles as it salutes a remarkable woman… who has spent a lifetime challenging the influence of the fashion industry and staring down the unflinching gaze of the camera.”
"One of the most moving and complex films at Sundance. I'll add to my list of heroines Benedetta Barzini, an Italian 1960s supermodel who became a leftist feminist and mother."
"Benedetta Barzini should be an inspiration for all young people in the fashion world, and beyond."
“Touching, emotional, and complicated. Seldom have you seen a documentary with as much soul, as alive, as The Disappearance of My Mother.”
“10 out of 10 stars! This is the best documentary I’ve seen in 2019, and honestly in quite some time.”
"It’s fascinating to see Benedetta Barzini in academic action, like an ethnographer of the patriarchy herself, bringing back news from its most glamourous yet rotten core."
Awards
Official Selection – Sundance Film Festival
Official Selection – CPH:DOX
Venue | City | State | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Cleveland Museum of Art | Cleveland | OH | 1585627200March 31, 2020 |
Boedecker Theater @ Dairy Arts Center | Boulder | CO | 1581483600February 12 - February 15, 2020 |
Gene Siskel Film Center | Chicago | IL | 1580014800January 26 - January 29, 2020 |
Speed Art Museum | Louisville | KY | 1579237200January 17 - January 19, 2020 |
The Film Lab | Detroit | MI | 1579150800January 16 - January 19, 2020 |
Harkins Shea 14 | Scottsdale | AZ | 1578632400January 10 - January 16, 2020 |
The Guild Cinema | Albuquerque | NM | 1578632400January 10 - January 13, 2020 |
Gateway Film Center | Columbus | OH | 1578632400January 10 - January 16, 2020 |
Northwest Film Center | Portland | OR | 1578027600January 3 - January 6, 2020 |
Cinematique of Daytona | Daytona Beach | FL | 1577422800December 27, 2019 - January 9, 2020 |
Honolulu Museum of Art | Honolulu | HI | 1577422800December 27 - December 28, 2019 |
Cinema Salem | Salem | MA | 1577422800December 27, 2019 - January 2, 2020 |
Ryder Film Series | Bloomington | IN | 1576818000December 20, 2019 - January 12, 2020 |
Time & Space Limited | Hudson | NY | 1576731600December 19 - December 29, 2019 |
Laemmle Monica Film Center | Los Angeles | CA | 1576213200December 13 - December 19, 2019 |
Quad Cinema | New York | NY | 1575608400December 6 - December 26, 2019 |
Museum of the Moving Image | Astoria | NY | 1573966800November 17, 2019 |
Frameline | San Francisco | CA | 1561262400June 23, 2019 |
Film at Lincoln Center | New York | NY | 1560139200June 10, 2019 |
RT' @shrifilm': .' @falegriaz’s' The Cow Who Sang A Song Into The Future, my co-production with some fine folks, acquired by' @KinoLorber' for No…
RT' @KLStudioClassic': Coming August 2nd! The Octagon (1980) • Brand New 2K Master • NEW Audio Commentary by Action Film Historians Brandon…
RT' @rosaaaaaaaaaa': was lucky to catch a showing of this gem at the avalon last night - a beautiful and touching piece by Panah Panahi that…
“Masterful. A filmmaker that both honors his father’s ongoing legacy, and inaugurates his unique, very own voice.”…' https://t.co/uQfNTesU4l'
“𝐃𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞… [with] fierce originality and punk iconoclasm. A wholly original piece of world-building.” –…' https://t.co/tUH3u1obkT'
#NeptuneFrost! ✨🛸💫' https://t.co/eTZqyFOWDA'' https://t.co/q1DbGXdBuw'
We've picked up the Chilean magical realist' @sundancefest' hit THE COW WHO SANG A SONG INTO THE FUTURE by' @falegriaz…'' https://t.co/90N4Oj10eh'
RT' @r_emmet': Happy 89th birthday to the ageless mind-melter Mr. Ken Jacobs (@nervousken). The Ken Jacobs Collection Blu-ray is 50% off to…
General Inquiries
333 W. 39th St., Ste. 503
New York, NY 10018
Tel. (800) 562-3330
Fax. (212) 714-0871
Press & Media
For publicity assistance and press inquiries please contact us by emailing dninh@kinolorber.com or calling 212-629-6880.
Educational
Please visit our educational site at www.KinoLorberEDU.com
For assistance with educational orders, please contact us at:
Phone:212-629-6880
Fax: 212-714-0871
Email: edu@kinolorber.com