Jule Campbell's daughter Jill directs a loving memoir documentary that gives first-person voice to the editorial, personal, and political challenges that Jule overcame in her role as editor for Sports Illustrated's popular annual Swimsuit issue in a magazine publishing career that spanned 32 years.
The pettiness of human nature is on full display in the high stakes magazine publishing world, from both sexes (writ large).
Capitalizing on beauty is as old as humanity. Celebrating female beauty is something to be cherished and respected, especially when handled with Jule Campbell's delicate artistic sense of editorial care.
Unpacking layers of social subtext between the film's ongoing dialogue between mother and daughter, model subject and photographer, media and audience, is part of the joy of watching it.
"Beyond The Gaze: Jule Campbell's Swimsuit Issue" won't do much toward bridging the us-against-them-sexes-battle mindset of the American public circa 2025, but it achieves its goals as a cinematic character study of a photographic and social maverick.
Jule Campbell's female gaze had a humanitarian purity about it. This doc has more than a few lessons of editorial wisdom to impart to its audience.
Establishing trust is always the first step toward any form of fruitful communication.
Not Rated. 107 mins.
