Chichester Cinema at New Park
Zelig
This brilliantly made mock documentary about a 'human chameleon' in the 1920s and 30s who unconsciously changes his appearance in a desperate attempt to fit in and be liked, is hilarious and heartbreaking, often at the same time.
Before there was ‘Forrest Gump’ shaking hands with John F. Kennedy there was Leonard Zelig interrupting a speech by Adolf Hitler. This 1983 faux-documentary from Woody Allen tells the tale of a strange little man who wanted so badly to fit in that he was able to change like a chameleon to blend in with his surroundings, whether that meant being a musician in a black band, a psychiatrist in a mental institution, or a member of the Nazi party.
Mia Farrow co-stars as Dr. Eudora Fletcher, who not only treats Zelig with her radical psychiatric theories but eventually falls in love with the lovable loser, saving him from those who want to put him on display so people can watch Leonard turn Chinese, French or obese. Although made before the advent of CGI and other techniques, Woody seamlessly blends genuine footage of the era with his own material and for added realism begins and ends the film with contemporary mock contributions from great American intellectuals, including Susan Sontag and Saul Bellow. Quite brilliant. (Brand new 35mm print)
USA · 1983 · Woody Allen · 79min
