I mentioned the Topp Twins and Joan Rivers in my last SIFF post heading, but then I ran out of time and didn’t write about it…My BAD! And, you need to know about both of these fascinating documentaries about three very different women in show business…
Two of these women are not only sisters, but twins. Lesbian twins. Lesbian twins in New Zealand. Lesbian twins in New Zealand who are champion yodelers, television and recording stars and political activists. Jools and Lynda Topp have combined their beautiful harmonizing voices, sound comedy chops and amazing stage presence to become major stars in New Zealand, Australia and to smart, in the know audiences around the world, as well as being political activists for LGBT rights in New Zealand. In addition, both sisters have been leading the fight for breast cancer awareness and treatment since Jools was diagnosed with the disease in 2006. The documentary of their lives, The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, directed by Leanne Pooley, utilizes vintage footage of the women from their earliest days, to clips from their award winning television program and stage appearances, combined with hilarious and frequently moving interviews with the two sisters. SIFF programmer Beth Barrett singled out this film as one of her “topp” choices for this year’s festival. As an added bonus, the director and the Topp Twins are scheduled to be in attendance for the screenings, tonight, Sunday, May 30 at 7pm at the Egyptian, as well as tomorrow, Monday, May 31 at 11am, also at the Egyptian and it’s likely there will be a Q/A session after the screenings…this is a do not miss film for LGBT audiences and fans of “Flight of the Conchords” style Kiwi comedy and music. Also, members of the “Lesbian Yodelers and Political Activists and Comedians Fan Club-New Zealand Division”…check it out.
She’s not a lesbian, but millions of lesbians, (and billions of gay men) have loved the brash, in your face comedy of Joan Rivers for over 40 years and the new documentary, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work is a loving but honest portrayal of the hardworking, driven, comedic legend that promises to:
chronicle the private dramas of irreverent, legendary comedian and pop icon Joan Rivers as she fights tooth and nail to keep her American dream alive. A trailblazer for today’s female comics, the 76-year-old Rivers remains as driven, hard-working, and career-focused as ever. Aptly subtitled “A Piece of Work,” the film mixes hilarious stand-up footage with candid behind-the-scenes views of how much effort it takes to stay on top. Although it includes brief glimpses of Rivers’ formative successes—notably on The Tonight Show, where Johnny Carson decreed on-air that she’d be a star, leading to umpteen guest and guest-host appearances—the documentary’s focus is on current everyday operations. Rivers is acutely aware of her status in the entertainment food chain at any moment in time. Suffering a relative lull at the film’s start, she’ll “do anything” to keep working, whether it’s performing club gigs or at suburban Midwest halls, or hawking jewelry on QVC. Beyond the lady herself, major interviewees include her loyal staff, and her daughter Melissa, with whom she has a complex but close relationship.
A Piece of Work screens tonight, Sunday, May 30, at 9:30pm at the Uptown…sadly, Joanie isn’t scheduled to attend, but the hardest woman working in show business is bound to turn up in Seattle eventually…until then, make do with this well reviewed look at her life.
-Michael Strangeways
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
