
In the context of current society, the activities and politics associated with stardom remains a matter of great interest and will continue to do so with the emergence of new celebrities. The daughter to Summer, Brooklyn Sodano has co-directed a documentary alongside Roger Ross “Love to Love You, Donna Summer”, which operates on a more personal level in addition to the larger picture interest.
The documentary goes through Donna’s career, from her beginnings in Germany to her life as a reputable American singer, and reveals parts of her life that she kept behind closed doors. The documentary “Love to Love You, Donna Summer” starts with Donna performing the titular song. During her performance, she is sensually moaning, caressing her body, and gyrating her hips ”, and then the scene cuts to her doe like eyes in the extremely close up shots. Instead of a girl who is both good and bad, we see a new side to him. This is an introduction to the American singer’s undefinable nature alongside the suggestion that there is more that needs to be learnt about her.
Through archival videos of her performances, as well as interviews and family home movies, “Love to Love You, Donna Summer” examines not only the pleasure of her career, but also the sorrow she experienced as a woman, a mother, and a new celebrity through accounts from her family.
The heart of this nuanced piece is its strongest, and particular Summer’s relationship are not only used narratively, but structurally. This is the fundamental aspect of the motion piece–this narrative does not dive into the motherhood stories, but after the deeply loving yet distant mother gave birth, focusing instead on the summers’ daughters who frequently narrate the motion piece and served as the guides to the event.
Also crucial is the mark of Summer’s Black Womanhood. Everything in between is a series of passion and perseverance against the odds. We see the life of the Women she becomes as a symbol of unapologetic sensuality in the American disco pore. She toes the spectrum from adolescent starts in Boston with her religious family alongside bold determined actions to defy societal structures. Summer turns British expectations into bold promises–she stepped out of the boxes, embraced sex, and fearlessly championed her identity.
“Love to Love You, Donna Summer” employs her unforgettable hits as a backdrop to career milestones, while also highlighting her constant ability to stay relevant with the shifting eras.
Her track “Love to Love You” was her declaration of self-acceptance and a strong embrace of the sexual revolution of the ‘70s, while ‘She Works Hard for the Money’ was a charged statement against the very label she was signed to (and had fun suing for non payment of services rendered) as she single handedly captured the imagination and hearts of the working women of the 1980’s. Yet, even in these most glorious heights of her career, we are also privy to the challenges that she suffered. Her fame transformed her both for the better and the worse, with the unrelenting scrutiny and the myriads of industry standards undoubtedly causing her immense amounts of stress.
However, on the other side of the coin, Summer was at the forefront of change and a woman who was continuously at war with herself. The strength of “Love to Love You, Donna Summer” lies within its raw portrayal of Donna–the woman, the icon, the mother, and the lover. It falters, however, in the attempt to aid her legacy: the music. The documentary contains very few references to her songs, other than a couple of famous tracks and needle drops.
“Love to Love You, Donna Summer” offers incredible depth when analyzing the woman behind the famous face, but it lacks genuine examination her work.
There will be no survive you. Your legacy will remain concealed from the people who do not know your music. For admirers of Summer, the persuasive nature of this film will enable them to comprehend her influence on an even deeper level. Unfortunately, this documentary is so shallow that everybody else will find themselves appreciating her work less and less.
For More Movies Like Love to Love You, Donna Summer (2023) Visit 123Movies