It was never going to let us fully into Kylie’s private world, but her new documentary, White Diamond, did show us glimpses of the person behind the brand. Filmed between August 2006, and March 2007, it documents the resurrection of Kylie’s Showgirl tour, which was cruelly and unexpectedly halted in the summer of 2005, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
And last night, for one night only, the film was being shown in 39 Vue cinemas around the country. There was also a premiere in Leicester Square, with live footage from the red carpet shown before the film screening itself.
The ‘live’ footage was certainly questionable, with dips in sound, but it did make the evening more of an event nonetheless, and as we settled down to watch the two-hour film, we wondered just how many of the recovery and private stories Kylie would tell.
Directed by her long-time friend, stylist, and collaborator, William Baker, the behind-the-scenes movie told tales of costume fittings, failing on-stage computers, logistics, rehearsals, and virus-inducing cancellations. It’s true that here were more sensitive moments, but it was never going to be an In Bed with Madonna exposé film, and I very much doubt that neither Kylie nor indeed Baker would have wanted it that way.
Billed as ‘An intimate personal portrait of Kylie Minogue’, Baker’s adoration for his friend is clear to see, and as having been ‘together’ for over 16 years, the two have a strong and more than endearingly-close friendship. Kylie only agreed to do the film, as Baker was directing it, although even then, lots of more sensitive footage was reportedly left on the cutting room floor. She has even said herself that she canned it at least five times before finally giving Baker free rein to tell her comeback story.
Barely scratching the surface, the audience learns that Kylie likes to play around with, and giggle hysterically at, Photo Booth on her Mac; play the bored and impatient Big Brother housemate; and keep everyone’s spirits up when impending disasters start to erupt around them. Parts of her recovery story are told too, and if nothing else, Kylie has to be admired for her bravery, strength, and seemingly boundless enthusiasm.
All the things for which the fans love the diminutive star are there, too. The music of course (with two new songs I’m Hip and You Are There previewed, as well as songs by the Pet Shop Boys and Liza Minnelli); the sparkle; and the Showgirl herself.
The fans have been unanimous in their approval of the film, and you certainly won’t find this one disagreeing. After all, having followed Kylie’s career since the beginning, I feel I almost know her as well as Baker does.
Unsurprisingly, I found the film highly enjoyable, and it showed that being ‘Kylie’ isn’t all about glitter, glamour and sequins. There are bad times as well as good times, and also just as many rewards as there are obstacles to overcome, whether they are mental, physical or emotional.
Scheduled for a DVD release on 10 December, White Diamond will form part of a package which also contains the full Showgirl: Homecoming tour show. But, this week at least, for one night only, Kylie radiated in the silver shadows, glowed for us, and just like a pure white diamond, shone on and on and on and on and on…
