Desire for Beauty

Such a beautifully shot film. This film blurs the borders between documentary and feature film with "talking head" interviews, obs-doc and docu-drama sequences, all beautifully rendered on the screen.

The real-life characters are presented in a warm and empathetic manner, with their anxieties about the way they look explored in a multitude of ways.

What is most interesting about the film is the neutral tone in which the story is presented. We are made to empathize and understand the subjects of this film, we understand their need and can rationalize it as human. But cosmetic surgery is not a black and white subject, and from one moment to the next the audiences judgments might waver from understanding to dismay. We realize the physical pain and the dangers involved in these procedures, and we wonder why any person would put them through such an ordeal.

Ultimately, the quest for physical perfection is seen as a basic human desire, but we are all too human for it.

I have to admit before watching it, I thought it was going to be about something superficial but once I pressed play, I was drawn (thanks first to the music) into the all story and the emotions of it. Honestly, I did not expect to be as touched as I was. This documentary addresses numerous issues we have as a society and the search for 'perfection' and what lengths we'll go through to get there. It works as an excellent reminder of the "disorder" that a large proportion of the population still lives from day to day. We could call it "a beauty disorder". The nature of the material is depressive but it's shoot with an impeccable taste and carefulness, like the cut of a precise surgeon. I was a bit surprised by the outcome and think this is a terribly interesting topic for discussion. Highly recommend it!

"Desire for Beauty" is an excellent reminder of the "disorder" that a large proportion of the population still lives from day to day. I could call it "a beauty disorder". The nature of the material is depressive but it's shoot with an impeccable taste and careful, like the cut of a precise surgeon. With class the "wound" and "polish tabu" are exposed to bitter sweet images and a reflection that is not only how much "humanity" has accomplished, but to what extent we've become slaves to the institutions, facilities, jobs, social trues and structures that we inhabit. Most films center on a hero or heroes scheming to overcome some obstacle or complete some quest. "Desire for Beauty" world is one of emotional pressure on which unexpected forces continuously exert pressure on the individual, shaping how he thinks and behaves. A highly recommended reflection!!!

Extremely surprised and satisfied after the screening of this film. I was thrilled and compelled into this four ordinary life's. I felt a bit of everything, and he truly moved me towards the end. The story is definitely engaging and in the end of it, few hours talking with a friend over it. It's a loving piece of filmmaking. Very simple, extremely well shoot but overall you feel a sense of honesty on all of it. I think this is the most accomplished fact on this "little" movie; on his simplicity you can feel the camera being honest with the characters. The interviews are smart and some of them even unexpected on the nature of how some questions are replied, mostly because of the good choice of the "guests". Agata Kulesza is perfect on the role of the one who listens the others. And its her honesty has a human being and not an actress that Miguel's cameras captures here. Music is wonderful and is one of the engines behind the film. A film definitely to watch, consider and then discuss. Myself I will be waiting to see it again on the big screen when it opens. A complicated theme handled with reason and sensitivity. Truly recommended.

Desire for Beauty, in an unobtrusive and balanced way, highlights the complex social attitude with a "double" vengeance - once for the shortcomings of beauty, and the second - for their willingness to undergo surgery. For me, as a spectator, it was a multidimensional experience - through the characters struggling with their complexes, as well as their fear of surgery and reactions from their surrounding environment. It's an unordinary documentary and it doesn't look for cheap sensationalism or scandal. Instead, It's a very balanced, even slightly philosophical film about the lack of self-acceptation, false beauty and social pressure. Disturbing and with a clear message, Can't wait to recommend it to every woman I know.