Released two years after James Dean's death, this documentary chronicles his short life and career via black-and-white still photographs, interviews with the aunt and uncle who raised him, his paternal grandparents, a New York City cabdriver friend, the owner of his favorite Los Angeles restaurant, outtakes from East of Eden, footage of the opening night of Giant, and Dean's ironic PSA for safe driving.
Direction
Altman's first feature — already subverting the form.
Production
Still photos pretending to be cinema. Bold choice, 1957.
Director
Robert Altman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Robert Altman's feature directorial debut — he essentially got his start making a studio-approved grave robber film.
Released during the height of Dean's posthumous cult, this essentially invented the template for the 'too soon' celebrity death documentary that TMZ still runs today.
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