Here is a little pop trivia quiz:
Who wrote “I’ll Be There for You”, the theme song of “Friends”?
Who wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway production of “The Color Purple?”
Who wrote “September” for Earth, Wind, and Fire?
I would have been stumped before I saw this fabulous documentary, directed by Alexis Manya Spraic, about the fabulously prolific and fascinating Allee Willis.
Allie was always “different,” and growing up in Detroit, she would sit on the lawn outside of Motown headquarters to groove to the soul sounds that emanated from within. She lost her mother at a young age, and her father remarried quickly. He never seemed to like her much, as she was a tomboy and her interests and behavior did not exemplify that of nice little Jewish girls, like his stepdaughters, who fit the mold.
But Allee’s talent, brilliance, and energy were unstoppable. She started writing songs at 22, performing and recording some of them, until she understood that she didn’t enjoy that. Instead, she wrote and produced music, did production design and art direction, created visual art, and was a pioneer in the early days of the World Wide Web, creating video as a multimedia artist. She was also known for hosting fantastic parties, where friends like Cyndi Lauper, Pamela Adlon, Paul (Pee-Wee Herman) Reubens, and Mark Cuban(!) were in attendance. And what a home for partying…. she bought a mid-century modern house in Los Angeles County and transformed it into a pink palace of dreams, full of kitschy collectables and art and everything cool under the sun!
Allee never officially came out, but clearly was a lesbian. Prudence Fenton, Executive director of the documentary, was her life partner from 1992 until Willis’ death in 2019. Allee recorded so much of her life and work, and collected with almost a hoarder-like zest, leaving a ton of materials for the filmmaker to work with.
As a result, this film is pure delight. If you are any kind of queer, this movie is a must see!!!
Labels: 2024, docimentary, Janet Prolman, Provncetown Film Fest, review, songwriter, The World According To Ailee Willis
