Cisco Kid

I found this streaming on Prime after watching "Desert Coffee" and "Almost Ghosts," two other documentaries that focus on people living in abandoned places, off the beaten path for one reason or another. The algorithm probably caught my vibes and suggested this.

This is a unique film in that it follows a fascinating character, Eileen, who decided to move to an abandoned complex in the desert in South Utah. The director, in her debut as far as I can tell, stuck to the canon of direct cinema: no interviews, no outside footage. It's Eileen and the camera 100% of the time. The film works for several reasons: 1. The subject is fascinating. They are a camera magnet who looks interesting no matter how they are dressed or what kind of hairdo (she starts as a she with long hair and quickly moves to a full buzz and changes pronouns to they). Besides the look, Eileen is an extremely interesting person: resourceful, articulate, fun, and probably hurt.

2. The setting is gorgeous. Rough South Utah beauty, reavealed by the elegant minimalistic cinematography.

3. The director has great sensibility in filming such an intimate project with great respect for her subject's dignity. The nude scenes while Eileen is bathing are a great example. Beautifully shot with great respect.

4. Editing is minimalistic and efficient. Viewers have many of their questions answered as the sequence of scenes evolves.

I felt the film ended a bit abruptly, but as I think of it, it does resolve in its own way. Direct cinema is not for everyone. It feels slow at times, you have to pay attention to little details and be ready to read between the lines. As a fan of the Maysles brothers, I love this stuff and highly recommend this film to likeminded film lovers.