Narcissister: Organ Player

Narcissister is a New York performance artist who is always masked, even when appearing in public offstage (as when she briefly dated Marilyn Manson in 2011). Her routines, which contain strong autobiographical elements, feature not only elaborate costumes but also mannequins and oversized props—most notably a huge cartoon cutout of a woman with legs spread, from which Narcissister emerges to writhe and gyrate. Her movements are obviously deeply sexual, commenting—albeit not always with complete clarity—on issues of race and gender. Directed by Narcissister, this film features performance snippets, archival clips of the director with Manson, and an appearance on America’s Got Talent. Much of it, however, is devoted to her describing her life, particularly the California childhood during which she was made to feel inferior due to her mixed ethnic background. Her comments are accompanied by excerpts from scrapbooks and home movies, in which Narcissister coyly keeps her own face covered, instead putting the emphasis on her parents—especially her ever-supportive mother, whose decline due to cancer is followed obsessively up through her death, which her daughter stages as a piece of performance art (while intended as a tribute, this cannot help but feel rather self-promoting). Extras include deleted/extended scenes. Likely to attract a relatively small audience (just as its subject does), this should still be considered a strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)