Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters (2012) User Reviews

Great behind the scenes look into Credson's work

[BuckieC32 · 9/10 · 19 June 2013]

This doc is a quiet view into Gregory Crewdson's 8-year photography project, "Beneath the Roses." The film does a great job of weaving on-set footage of lighting, posing, and directing, with moments from Crewdson's interviews and personal history.

I found it intriguing to see all the production value that goes into just one of his photos, and every time the film cuts to the finished shot, I couldn't help but be amazed by the "still life" quality of each one.

Crewdson's photos have a deep, self-reflective quality that, at times, is haunting to become lost in. This documentary shows the man, and the crews, behind these fabulous works of art.

Fascinating Documentary

[larrys3 · 9/10 · 22 July 2013]

To be honest, I had never heard of photographer Gregory Crewdson before. However, I found this documentary, directed by Ben Shapiro, to be quite fascinating and engrossing.

The film mostly centers on Crewdson's series of 50 photographs, taken over an 8 year span, called Beneath The Roses. These are by no means ordinary photographs. They are elaborately staged, usually over a 2 day period, like you might find on a movie set. They were either shot on a location site or on a sound stage.

What was stunning to me was the detail, the lighting of the scenes, and the addition of haunting images of people within the pictures. You could make up a complex story of your own with each presentation,as they are so complex and evocative.

Many of the photos are quite haunting and evoke sadness. The outside locations were usually shot in Lee or Pittsfield, Massachusetts. These towns have been ravaged by economic woes, and this is certainly captured in Crewdson's work.

The film also goes somewhat into Crewdson's background, and the influences that shaped his career. He talks about how he comes up with his ideas for the photographs and what goes into his work. I found it all quite fascinating.

This documentary really captured my interest, although it may not appeal to everyone.

It is only 1 hour and 17 minutes long.