The Legend of Leigh Bowery

Customer Reviews:

One of a Kind.......2007-05-31

"The Legend of Leigh Bowery"

One of a Kind

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

Leigh Bowery was unknown to me before I watched this short film, He died of AIDS at the age of 33 after having a unique life as a true individual. The movie gives an honest portrait of a very complex person who lived under glitter, high energy and wild, wild costumes. Leigh was born in Australia to devout parents who were active in the Salvation Army. His strange behavior took him from Oz to London--to the gay clubs, to costume design and performance art. His life came to a head with a series of touching and astonishing portraits painted of him, in 1990, by artist Lucie Freud.
Through interviews with his family, friends and one odd widow named Nicola; we get a balanced look at his life. Leigh could walk into a nightclub and make it his own in a matter of moments. He and his costumes were always over the top. Leigh Bowery was a visionary in time and in his craft. He was an unusual person who began to make his mark on the world once he moved to London. His upbringing would let him go no further. He was outer worldly and is described as living art. He wore his own creations and they were bizarre to say the least. His life was nocturnal and he commanded attention. Some say he wore his crazy costumes to shock people and to make them not know whether they should be embarrassed or not or just stare and then run away. He was never ignored and he loved the attention. He was ahead of his time.
Of particular interest are the scenes of the eighties. But even more interesting are his final years when he sat for portraits, He had already become an icon and a darling of the new wave and the avant garde. Whether he was in a gallery showing himself or nude or pretending to be giving birth, he was always outlandish and shocking.
I am so sorry that I missed him. He sounds like quite a character. The film shows us what we al have missed,

The legend of Leigh Bowery.......2006-10-30

Wow if you love fashion MR Bowey bring it to you in many format in his creative mind. His has no shame in his game, if you ever want to become a designer watch this movie if will blow you away which you will never forget IT! Trust ME you will take over the runway, "YOUR WAY" and make your statement from there. Couture Style it one copy that you can't see or make again what the show LB in action.

The Greatest Juxtaposition.......2006-07-03

Leigh Bowery makes every other shocking artist seem like a lame embarassment. He made no excuses. In 33 years, he lived more life than four people ever could. This film is wonderfully made, with great direction by Charles Atlas. It is chock full of interviews from people who knew Leigh the best. It's poignant, powerful and at times repulsive (in a good way, of course). Leigh Bowery was the most imaginative, no holds barred, fantastic human being I think I've ever seen. I didn't even know him, but I know I miss him.

An Attractive Repellant.......2006-03-22

What can you say about Leigh Bowery? He is/was both beautiful and horrifying at the same time. You feel compelled to watch him but wish you didn't. Charles Atlas' documentary itself however is EXCELLENT. We get to know Leigh as well as he allowed anyone to know him. Interviews with family and friends creates a fairly complete portrait, combined with great footage of Leigh's Club Days. Leigh Bowery was indeed an Artist in every sense of the word. He himself was his own masterpiece and the world is poorer for his abscence. Leigh, you are sadly missed.

The Best DVD I've Seen This Year.......2005-09-07

I bought this on a whim, really. I had very little knowledge of Leigh Bowery, only tidbits I picked up from other artists who were inspired by him. Watching this movie is at turns absolutely hilarious, diabolical, grotesquely fascinating, uplifting, and sad, but ultimately hugely entertaining. No need for me to go into details about the man here, it's the documentary that's in question. It is very well done. Lots of video and film from the era, new interviews with his associates, and the bonus features are incredible, almost an entire movie's worth alone. For anyone with a passing interest in fashion, performance art, or the club scene of the Eighties and early Ninties, this is required viewing. Leigh Bowery lived his life as Art. This documentary is an informative and entertaining testament to that. Recommended very highly.

Average customer rating:

One of a Kind
The legend of Leigh Bowery
The Greatest Juxtaposition
An Attractive Repellant
The Best DVD I've Seen This Year

The Legend of Leigh Bowery
Starring: Leigh Bowery
Director: Charles Atlas
Manufacturer: Palm Pictures / Umvd
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0004Z31QQ
Release Date: 2004-10-19