Release Year: 2010
Synopsis:
"Beautiful Darling" (2010), a feature-length documentary directed by James Rasin, is a heartfelt exploration of the life and legacy of Candy Darling, one of the most iconic figures in the New York City avant-garde scene of the 1960s and 70s. Darling, a pioneering trans woman and actress, became an emblematic muse of Andy Warhol's Factory, capturing the fascination of both the art world and pop culture. Rasin’s film is a deeply personal and poignant portrayal of Darling’s short but extraordinary life, as well as an examination of her complex identity as a trans woman navigating the turbulent cultural landscape of the 20th century.
The documentary begins by examining the early years of Darling's life, born James Lawrence Slattery in Long Island, New York, in 1944. From a young age, Darling exhibited an undeniable longing to escape the limitations of her assigned gender and embrace her identity as a woman. The film poignantly highlights how Candy transformed herself into an unforgettable persona, driven by a dream to live as the glamorous women she admired in Hollywood films. The documentary makes clear that Darling’s journey was not without struggle, but her ambition, charisma, and striking beauty propelled her into the orbit of Warhol and his Factory, where she would rise to fame as one of his most beloved superstars.
