That Click ( Luca Severi, 2019): USA

Reviewed by Benjamin Bearman at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2020.

That Click is a well pieced together documentary giving the viewer an inside look of renowned photographer, Douglas Kirkland’s career. One that has spanned more than four decades, this film gives the details on pivotal photo shoots and opportunities that developed Kirkland’s career. The project’s that Kirkland took on changed along his career, allowing his recognition and respect to expand amongst celebrity and photo community alike.

Kirkland’s photographs have a particular romantic quality to them. This can be most prominently seen in his photo session with Marilyn Monroe, where he does not over sexualize this icon of feminine beauty but instead took a step back and allowed Marilyn to be herself and took her as she was.

Kirkland had the experience of working with Irving Penn, Judy Garland, and many well known titans the entertainment industry. He had an intimate relationship with his wife, muse, and manager, François, who would join him on some shoots and be absent to others. She understood that to Douglas, woman came second, while photography came first.

Douglas spoke throughout the film giving his own insight to his experiences and surprizes during his ongoing career. He was an early adopter to digital photography and digital manipulation. This allows his work to stay fresh, alive and contemporary. He believes that longevity is seized by changing and growing. Kirkland has stayed relevant through his hunger yet still uses archaic equipment such as the 8 x 10 camera which gives a look from a different time.

A few words of advice from Kirkland that upcoming and established photographers can walk away with from this film are to “always anticipate there is something to shoot after the initial shot.”

That Click finalized with Douglas Kirkland disbelief of “all the lives [he’s] lived.”

Photographers and film fans alike, enjoy.

Thank you D.K.