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Six degrees of separation. Of limited use as a career overview, this strangely random selection across two decades of work from Britain’s pre-eminent documentary maker still contains much fascinating material, not least a dramatic shift in style. Eighties efforts, Soldier Girls (female recruits endure US Army basic training) and Chicken Ranch (the denizens of a brothel outside Las Vegas), are resolutely third-person, observational and fairly bleak - the sneaky, acerbic humour, let alone Broomfield himself, very much absent.Yet, forward into the 90s and his cheeky-chappie soundman is turned way up. Both The Leader and Tracking Down Maggie are structured as interview-as-grail quests, pushing Broomfield centre stage, while Heidi Fleiss and Fetishes peddle further investigations into unconventional sex. The faux-naïve intrusiveness is designed to irritate his quarry and possibly the audience too, though if purists object to Broomfield’s stagey self-aggrandisement, it’s harder to deny his persistence and consistent ability to elicit unpredictable, eminently watchable reactions. Extras Nick Broomfield – A History, introductions to all six films, director’s commentary on Chicken Ranch and The Leader, additional interviews and footage, trailers, Broomfield’s five VW TV commercials. Nick Broomfield – Documenting Icons (Six-Disc Box Set), out now on Metrodome.
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