Finding Vivian Maier backdrop
Finding Vivian Maier logo
2014·Documentary·1h 23m
7.0
Vivian Maier's photos were seemingly destined for obscurity, lost among the clutter of the countless objects she'd collected throughout her life. Instead these images have shaken the world of street photography and irrevocably changed the life of the man who brought them to the public eye. This film brings to life the interesting turns and travails of the improbable saga of John Maloof's discovery of Vivian Maier, unravelling this mysterious tale through her documentary films, photographs, odd collections and personal accounts from the people that knew her. What started as a blog to show her work quickly became a viral sensation in the photography world. Photos destined for the trash heap now line gallery exhibitions, a forthcoming book and this documentary film.
Directed by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
photographer
photography
biography
photograph
art
discovery
film preservation
eccentric artist
art exhibition
art restoration
portrait of an artist
female photographer
famous people
photography studies
street photography
figure study

Cast

Phil Donahue
Phil Donahue
Self - Talk Show Host
Mary Ellen Mark
Mary Ellen Mark
Self - Photographer
Tim Roth
Tim Roth
Self - Actor
Ginger Tam
Ginger Tam
Self - Interview Subject

Crew

Jeff Garlin
Jeff Garlin
Executive Producer

Popular Reviews

89 reviews
Carly Gravley
Carly Gravley
Finding Vivian Maier
Beautiful photos and an incredible story behind them, but what is this man doing here? Why is the guy who stumbled across the negatives the secondary protagonist of this film? Why does he seem to think he’s a genius by freak association?

John Maloof’s extensive presence does nothing but magnify the ethical questions that come with making this dead woman a celebrity. He comes across as self-centered, ignorant of the joy of art for art’s sake and uncomfortably intrusive. I spent the whole time wishing someone else had found those negatives.

He should’ve told his side of the story in the first five minutes and then, taking a cue from his subject, remained an anonymous observer behind a camera.
Beautiful photos and an incredible story behind them, but what is this man doing here? Why is the guy who stumbled across the negatives the secondary protagonist of this film? Why does he seem to think he’s a genius by freak association?

John Maloof’s extensive presence does nothing but magnify the ethical questions that come with making this dead woman a celebrity. He comes across as self-centered, ignorant of the joy of art for art’s sake and uncomfortably intrusive. I spent the whole time wishing someone else had found those negatives.

He should’ve told his side of the story in the first five minutes and then, taking a cue from his subject, remained an anonymous observer behind a camera.
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Dani Calde
Dani Calde
Finding Vivian Maier
absolutely beautiful photography i was entranced by the portfolio on her website. amazing art and very interesting woman, i would have loved to have a conversation with her. there is something to be said about the direction of this portrait tho.
absolutely beautiful photography i was entranced by the portfolio on her website. amazing art and very interesting woman, i would have loved to have a conversation with her. there is something to be said about the direction of this portrait tho.
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vale
vale
Finding Vivian Maier
i'm sort of a spy

viv i want you to know that you're such an inspiration
i'm sort of a spy

viv i want you to know that you're such an inspiration
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kate
kate
Finding Vivian Maier
her photos are beautiful. i love the idea of her faking a french accent whenever she wanted. i wish the world was kinder to her and that she was kinder to the children in her care.

she was so complex and i wish we could have heard about her from herself, but like one of the kids she nannied said, she probably would have hated that.
her photos are beautiful. i love the idea of her faking a french accent whenever she wanted. i wish the world was kinder to her and that she was kinder to the children in her care.

she was so complex and i wish we could have heard about her from herself, but like one of the kids she nannied said, she probably would have hated that.
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Filmscum
Filmscum
Finding Vivian Maier
Fascinating story with some questionable ethics. But what doc doesn’t have some questionable ethics?
Fascinating story with some questionable ethics. But what doc doesn’t have some questionable ethics?
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