Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story - Part 1

Todd Haynes [Far from heaven, Safe] burst upon the scene two years after his graduation with his now-infamous 43-minute "Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story" (1987). Seizing upon the inspired gimmick of using Barbie and Ken dolls to sympathetically recount the story of the pop star's death from anorexia, he spent months making miniature dishes, chairs, costumes, Kleenex and Ex-Lax boxes, and Carpenters' records to create the film's intricate, doll-size mise-en-scene. The result was both audacious and accomplished as the dolls seemingly ceased to be dolls leaving the audience weeping for the tragic singer.

Unfortunately, Richard Carpenter's enmity for the film led to the serving of a "cease and desist" order in 1989, and despite the director's offer "to only show the film in clinics and schools, with all money going to the Karen Carpenter memorial fund for anorexia research," "Superstar" remains buried, one of the few films in modern America that cannot be seen by the general public.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• todd
• haynes
• karen
• carpenter
• anorexia
• barbie

[Mizvictor07]

DO you not understand how using the doll helps young girls not end up like her? Oh you wanna look like barbie..watch this.

[christophertom1]

I don't think he lacked taste, The dolls were meant to convey a serious message about fame, family, dreams and self image, What do dolls represent to us:childrens play things. These are human like inanimate objects and that is how the famous are viewed by many of us; not real and lacking real problems. But her story is too heartbreaking, and her voice is too brilliant no matter what distants you're able to put yourself from it through its lack of "real" actors, she animates this film.

[mohinderbauer]

First off, I watched this whole thing somewhat enjoyed it.

However, I don't feel good about this. This is a sad story posing as a spoof. Can someone justify the use of dolls?

[TheArsenalgooner]

@Mizvictor07 THAT'S THE POINT!! HELLO?

[TheArsenalgooner]

INCREDIBLE FILM. Moved me to tears.

[mellie9227]

I'm sorry but I couldn't take this movie seriously when they broke out barbie dolls.

[Antaeus494]

@metronomic1 Just wondering - did you watch the WHOLE THING?

[lufflyness]

Are the events depicted in this fictionalized or is it based on what actually happened/what people suspect happened?

[1Cheytown]

@Mantronixxx Sadly yes

[metronomic1]

This movie is FUCKED UP

[Mantronixxx]

Was "Creepy A&M Guy" (doll) supposed to be Herb Alpert?

[Nceron]

Creepy A & M guy (Doll) LMFAO