Introducing, Selma Blair

To Linda blair,

We know the actress Selma Blair through the many outstanding supporting roles in both film productions but also in series such as Kath & Kim (2008-2009), Anger Management (2012-2014, Lost in Space (2018-2019). We remember his presence in films like Legally Blonde (2001), The Sweetest Thing (2002), Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), A Dirty Shame (2004), The Fog (2005), WΔZ (2007), Feast of Love (2007), The Poker House (2008), Dark Horse (2011), In Their Skin (2012), Ordinary World (2016), Mothers and Daughters (2016), Mom and Dad (2017) and most recently After (2019). This documentary, however, is not dedicated to her flourishing career but turns to a very difficult year in her life. Indeed, after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an incurable autoimmune disease, Selma Blair had to redouble her efforts and fight against the disease.

This documentary, directed by Rachel Fleit, takes an intense and intimate look at a year in the life of actress Selma Blair as she struggles to cope with a devastating disease. This magnificent actress is presented in an unvarnished fashion, far from the Hollywood stage. While maintaining a real sense of humor, this great actress shows exemplary courage. In her resilience as she fights against her illness, Linda Blair simply lays herself bare by telling us about her past, her mistakes and gives us a remarkable testimony.

The exemplary courage Selma Blair shows during her various hospitalizations and her will to regain her health certainly gives Introducing, Selma Blair a universal and striking character. The film also confronts viewers with the other side of the coin of eternal beauty and youthfulness as promoted by Hollywood studios and shows how many actresses are unable to find important roles after a certain age. The film also brings to light the themes of disabilities in the world of work and the important risks of death linked to certain diseases. However, this documentary film is not permanently maudlin because it shows a real lesson of courage and shows us that this actress is not only one of the best today but also wants to be a perfect mother and her way of fighting constantly is just admirable.

Undoubtedly Introducing, Selma Blair is a difficult documentary film, strong in various emotions, but above all it is an admirable lesson in survival, a way of confronting one's own fears and coming out of them stronger. The film won the Special Jury Award for Exceptional Intimacy in Storytelling in the Documentary Feature Competition. Discovery+ acquired distribution rights to the film following its World Premiere at SXSW.

Introducing, Selma Blair
Directed by Rachel Fleit
Produced by Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Troy Nankin
Executive Producer: Cass Bird
Starring Selma Blair
Music by Raphaelle Thibaut
Sound Recording: Nick Campbell, Alan Chow, Greg Mailloux
Cinematography: Shane Sigler, Jacob Yakob, Joseph Yakob, Jonathan Heller, Ava Benjamin Shorr
Edited by Sloane Klevin
Release date : March 16, 2021 (SXSW)
Running time : 89 minutes

Seen on March 17, 2021 (SXSW)

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