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Last night, your loyal Racked reporters were in present to take part in an exclusive movie preview of Bill Cunningham New York. The event was at The W City Center in the Loop. Three of Chicago’s premier street-style photographers were present including Emma Arnold of Tres Awesome, Amy Creyer of ChicagoStreetStyle, and Isa Giallorenzo of Chicago Looks. The guest list also included many of the city’s most prominent bloggers including The Style Tribe’s Corri McFadden, ChiCity Fashion’s Jena Gambaccini, and ChiTown Fashionista’s Nikia Jefferson.
An hour before the screening guests mixed and mingled over cocktails, discussing their street-style experiences and admiration for the godfather himself, Bill Cunningham. The movie started promptly at 7 p.m. on a large High-Definition screen at the front of the room. People gathered on the plush white leather chairs and couches arranged strategically around the beautifully decorated room; it was quite an improvement over the usual movie theater accommodations. Drinks and refreshments, including theater-style popcorn and candy, were provided as well.
The film offers a touching portrait of the world’s first street-style journalist. Director Richard Press and Producer Philip Gefter were on hand for a Q & A after the screening. Press made sure to note that Bill Cunningham New York is not a biopic; rather, he and Gefter tried to capture the essence and spirit of Cunningham and included biographical information to explain the course of his life, not to document it. To that end they succeeded with flying colors. It is hard not to feel attached to Cunningham with his endearing quirks, religious-like passion for his craft, and solitary lifestyle.