Gotta admit that I don't know much about the legendary bombshell star Brigitte Bardot, her films (I've seen a couple) and her private life except that she abandoned her film career very early and when she was still on high demand for new roles, commiting herself to the animal rights cause.
But after seeing this TV documentary a great deal of facts, information and archive images were shared, I got to know her a little better despite an aura of mystery surrounding the French star along with many controversies, turbulent marriages and love affairs, suicide attempts, many friendships and some outrageous political remarks and affiliations.
The doc gives a fascinating portrayal of Bardot with many up's and down's, humored bits of nostalgic memories from her friends, former lovers and acquaintances; her career trajectory, filled with admirers and jealous haters; and some facts on the films she worked on.
But the mystery remains about her personality, though extensively covered by the media and followed by fans, yet she always mantained a certain distance; she could be very vocal, party girl and center of attention, yet there was some dark, introspective moments, almost a bipolar figure. Extremely worries about her looks is said to be the key factor why she left movie industry on the late 1970's but I also think that she was probably bored with the films and the scripts of the period as a new generation was coming, or the roles weren't interesting anymore. What's left was a noble cause and one that was a real novelty back in the day and now it's almost common place: the fight to help the animal cause, attending protests, getting arrested and doing a great job - with some controversy along the way, criticising Sophia Loren for wearing a fur coat, greatly covered by the media, just as her alliance with the French far right parties and her autobiography with critical remarks on the Islan for which she was sent to court.
It was a great special that really made me more curious about her films; the behind the scenes stories and clips featured were really interesting. Not to mention she was one of the true remarkable figures from the movies. 8/10.
