Lady Gaga’s new documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on the 8th of September, and is set for global release on Netflix on the 22nd of September. The film offers a never before seen, intimate look into the creative process and the electric lifestyle of Lady Gaga.
The documentary is structured around a day in the life of Lady Gaga, over the time span of a year in which she releases her album ‘Joanne’, goes on tour, performs at the Superbowl and films American Horror Story: Hotel. The film also gives a window into Lady Gaga’s personal life and how she deals with a troubled relationship, chronic pain from hip spasms and the trappings that come part and parcel with fame.
Directed by Chris Moukarbel, who also directed the Banksy Does New York documentary, the film features a few of Gaga’s famous friends such as British musician Mark Ronson, who helped produce Gaga’s album Joanne, and Florence Welch (from Florence And The Machine) in Gaga’s song ‘Hey Girl‘.
Gaga has taken to social media to promote the Netflix release by posting teasers of the documentary on her Instagram. Each video clip also has an accompanying piece of artwork, creating a collage-effect on Gaga’s Instagram wall. The first post shows Gaga rising from a pool of water to the audio backdrop of a conversation with celebrity stylist and designer Brandon Maxwell, in which she tearfully admits to the sense of loneliness that has developed with fame.
Another clip shows Lady Gaga receiving treatment for her medical ailments, a hip injury that forced her to cancel her Born This Way Ball tour back in 2013. The video shows a variety of needles displayed as the doctor describes the procedure to a vulnerable Gaga. Dressed in a simple robe, the clip highlights not only her physical but her mental pain from dealing with a long term ailment.
However, the teaser that is considered to be most controversial is the post addressing her feud with Madonna. Gaga chats amongst friends, revealing that her admiration for the singer hasn’t died but that she is still annoyed about Madonna’s thoughts and comments towards her.
On that point, the film has received comparison to Madonna’s 1991 documentary Madonna: Truth Or Dare (it was also known as ‘In Bed With Madonna’ outside of North America), however Variety Magazine says that Gaga: Five Foot Two gives more of a real backstage view to Lady Gaga’s life when compared to Madonna’s film.
The film is certainly set to please the curious, and there is even talk that the documentary could receive various accolades including an Oscar nomination. Due to the September release, the film will be eligible for the upcoming Grammy Awards, fitting in the category of ‘Grammy Award For Best Music Film’.
With the release date fast approaching, check out the official Netflix trailer for Gaga: Five Foot Two below, and stay tuned for more news about Lady Gaga. You can also check out Fashion Industry Broadcast’s five minute web-doco to bring yourself up to speed on all things Gaga.