Monday, September 29, 2008

Holly Freakin' Woodlawn!

Film has been pretty good to me.. I"ve traveled to incredible film festivals, met amazingly talented filmmakers, and have seen more great films than I've ever dreamed possible.

Film is such a part of my life that I don't even question it anymore... there's one great moment after another.

And every once in a while - in a life filled with cool moments - comes an opportunity to stretch emotionally, intellectually - to participate rather that just observe.

That was this Saturday, when I had the pleasure of interviewing one of my heroes - Andy Warhol Superstar Holly Woodlawn. If the name doesn't ring a bell, this might...

Holly came up from Miami, F-L-A-
Hitchhiked her way across the U-S-A

Plucked her eyebrows on the way
Shaved her legs and then he was a she

THAT Holly Woodlawn!



It was such a reat to check out mentally from preparations for Reel Affirmations and spend a few hours each evening re-watching old Warhol films like Trash, Women in Revolt, and Flesh.
And reading (again) all about that era of artists shocking audiences and audiences trying to shock the artists.. aaahh..


And Holly was amazing - so wonderfully gracious and full of nothing but positive energy and a refreshing outlook on life. 
We sat on stage and she simply talked about living in the same tenement building as Miss Eva, the drag queen who inspired Dog Day Afternoon, and how Ethel Merman drank cheap wine, and what a great kisser Jim Morrison was. 
This woman did it all .. she was a department store model, a silent film actress, had a successful cabaret act... did jail time for stealing from the French diplomat's wife... love it!
She's truly an inspiration...






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