Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE PRINCESS [Sundance Film Festival 2022 - Virtual]
The texture of a life lived can be misconstrued but the texture is in the eyes of the beholder. Diana Spencer as a person and through all the archival footage seen in "The Princess" (Premieres), a new documentary by Ed Perkins, paints a picture of a women living her life and dealing with it in her own way. This style of documentary lets the imagery itself of the day and the interviews with the people involved from that same time (specifically with Charles and Diana (i.e. the main sit-downs together within their media duties but then later in the arena of public opinion in separate interviews) is an interesting play. Only the combined forces of Sky TV and HBO Documentary Films could have access to this kind of vast archive with clearances per se to make it work. The film does plays somber but also there is a sense of dread because one knows what is coming. Diana was only human so it is interesting to see how (at least in the imagery) how she used the media when it was advantageous to her but also when she felt it overly invasive to shun it. But that is not to say they didn't use her back. The movie depicts choices on all sides that were made (from behind walls) that shows that the monarchy is only human yet stuck in antiquated ritual. Diana was also the first of her kind per se -- a modern princess who spoke with and connected with the people on their level).
It gives a parallel perspective in certain ways to Harry and William's current life (and their respective wives and children) but also the choices they face (which are still ongoing nearly 25 years after Diana's death in their own lives. One cannot ignore a certain nonchalance seen in Prince Charles' actions but the decisions, motivations and other factors (behind closed doors) are just not known so it is conjecture. What one can see is the affect on the people of Britain, supportive of the monarchy or not of Diana as a person. What is undeniable in the footage is that Diana's presence was felt all over the world with much of her work. But she too wanted connection but also a certain lifestyle and understanding that needed to be maintained (hence the Dodi Al-Fayed relationship). Fate in its own way took over. But what is effective about "The Princess" is its comprehensiveness from the moment she stepped into the spotlight (the first footage is where getting into her car as speculation of an engagement builds). The film is fairly wraparound but not over indulgent. It shows what it does simply while addressing the certain ironies with effective use of cutaway shots captured in the day. It doesn't spell out the double standards on both sides including the press and the public but they are there to see. And in that way, the film acheives its objective. B
By Tim Wassberg
