There isn’t a lot about the way Margaret Moth lived her life that is worth celebrating or trying to replicate. First time director, Lucy Lawless, would be the first to tell you that. Personally, I’m much more interested in raw documentaries like this that explore a real human rather than a puff piece that exists to solely glorify someone. 

Gypsy fortune teller, uncompromising, rock n roll 24/7, and defiant are just a few of the words used to describe Margaret Moth by those closest to her. Everyone has their own version of who she was to them. The film isn’t as interested in the individual versions as much as it is the total sum of them all put together & the through lines. That total sum is a woman who was unashamedly herself and utterly fearless. 

Loved the portrait that this paints not only of Moth, but of what life looks like as a war journalist. Unfortunately, that leads to some of the most pivotal moments of the doc not having any footage to support it. Comes with the territory with something like this, but I wish Lawless had more resources to work with the bring those moments better to life. 

Despite the film feeling a bit scattered at times, I think that Lawless has some real talent as a filmmaker & look forward to anything from her in the future. If nothing else, I’m thankful she told Margaret’s story because it was a story worth telling.

There isn’t a lot about the way Margaret Moth lived her life that is worth celebrating or trying to replicate. First time director, Lucy Lawless, would be the first to tell you that. Personally, I’m much more interested in raw documentaries like this that explore a real human rather than a puff piece that exists to solely glorify someone. 

Gypsy fortune teller, uncompromising, rock n roll 24/7, and defiant are just a few of the words used to describe Margaret Moth by those closest to her. Everyone has their own version of who she was to them. The film isn’t as interested in the individual versions as much as it is the total sum of them all put together & the through lines. That total sum is a woman who was unashamedly herself and utterly fearless. 

Loved the portrait that this paints not only of Moth, but of what life looks like as a war journalist. Unfortunately, that leads to some of the most pivotal moments of the doc not having any footage to support it. Comes with the territory with something like this, but I wish Lawless had more resources to work with the bring those moments better to life. 

Despite the film feeling a bit scattered at times, I think that Lawless has some real talent as a filmmaker & look forward to anything from her in the future. If nothing else, I’m thankful she told Margaret’s story because it was a story worth telling.