The Art of the Doll Maker

If Barbie and Ken were realistically portrayed today, Ken would be a middle aged pot-bellied geezer hiding a bald spot with a few strands of hair, and Barbie, well, let's face it, Barbie would be sporting shar-pei wrinkles, and tripping over her sagging 38DD cup kneecaps. Abandon the stale perception of Barbie or any traditional doll for that matter, and appreciate this program's display of incredible soft sculpture dolls. Filmmaker Lee Hubbard Crowe has captured an extraordinary collection of pint-sized replicas of the human spirit. The creations of world doll masters, such as Lisa Lichtenfels, E. J. Taylor, Dru Esslinger, and elinor peace bailey, are examined through interviews that nicely support the detailed close-up shots of their unique and beautiful works. Over 160 dolls in all are profiled, including an old woman holding a rifle, a nude woman stuck in a see through box, a collection of world theatrical dolls, African dolls (used by the doll maker to enhance her storytelling), an elderly smiling shaman with a piercing gaze, a fairy princess who looks to be around 90, and sundry others. For some of the doll artists, doll making is a form of therapy, which allows them to express the ‘letting go' of a lost loved one, while other sculptors simply enjoy the creative process and artistry involved in making these unusual and lovely pieces. Although the audio fluctuates somewhat during one of the interviews, the excellent camera work, lovely music by composer Colin Chin, and fascinating insights into the world of doll making ensure that this will be a popular and charming addition to any public library collection. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (N. Plympton)