Within its dreamy, artsy framework, Patti Smith: Dream of Life is as much a film about the unseen director, Steven Sebring (who first began filming Smith more than ten years ago after meeting her during a Spin photo shoot), as it is about the rock poetess Patti Smith, coming across as a fully collaborative exploration that lovingly lets its subject run the show. Yet Sebring’s hand and eye are always a self-conscious part of the package, too. And don’t go expecting a narrative documentary: This film meanders through time periods, concert footage and private moments, sometimes in color and sometimes in black and white. Smith herself narrates, snaps Polaroids, mourns her losses, jaws with famous friends and performs passionately throughout the hazy length of footage, which slowly allows a powerful portrait of a rock legend to emerge.
Dream opens today for a run at Starz FilmCenter in Auraria’s Tivoli Student Union; for showtimes and tickets, visit www.starzfilmcenter.com or call 303-820-3456.
Sept. 19-25, 2008
