If you are old enough to remember the awful, overblown TV variety specials we were almost constantly bombarded with in the ‘70s and ‘80s, then Amanda Kramer’s Give Me Pity! will be a nightmarish prospect. Think Bette Midler, The Osmonds, or even the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special, and you’ll have an idea of the vibe Kramer was going for.
It’s performer Sissy St. Claire’s first-ever live TV spectacular, and she’s a fountain of nervous energy. However, mid-way through her opening number, visual glitches begin to interfere with the televised image. As several awkwardly lame skits – with added canned laughter – unfold, things begin to get stranger and a figure appears to be stalking Sissy from the wings of the studio.
Give Me Pity! is presented as a garish variety show with Sissy and her ego and desire to be perfect and the centre of attention despite things going wrong. She perseveres despite everything that happens, from nasty letters in the ‘mail from fans’ sections to celebrity guests cancelling and a hooker sketch that gets incredibly dark.
Sophie von Haselberg confidently embodies the fame-hungry Sissy, and the skits and monologues become increasingly open, betraying her confident façade. She’s mesmerising as she carries the film (and the in-film show) almost singlehandedly, allowing the character’s flaws to gradually seep through. Writer/director Kramer takes the simple conceit and weaves it into a psychotronic nightmare. It’s not an easy watch, you’ll either be drawn into the kitschiness or turned off by the awkwardness of the star who’s desperate for success and adoration and the alarmingly inappropriate skits. It’s a bold venture, and the attention to detail – from the 4:3 framing, ‘70s colour, the diva performance, and the ad break cards – is perfect. It’s more of a performance art piece more than a narrative movie, but it’ll likely pick up a cult audience with the right exposure.
Bulldog Film Distribution presents GIVE ME PITY! in cinemas and on demand from November 10th.
