I challenge anyone to watch the first one minute of the absorbing documentary Gazelle: The Love Issue without wanting to see more of Gazelle Paulo and his art. Gazelle’s art defies easy description – an unusual combination of fashion and performance art. He dresses, models, takes photos of others and has turned his photo blog (FreakChic.com) into the magazine Gazelle. In Gazelle: The Love Issue, director Cesar Terranova gives us the unvarnished Gazelle, with glimpses of the most personal aspects of his life and relationships.
Gazelle creates striking clothes and makeup that project ideas and feelings. Descriptions like “drag queen” or Gazelle’s own understated “dressing up to go out” are totally inadequate and misleading. Whether it’s funny or disturbing, this stuff is real art, more avant-garde than campy. And as art must be to be good, Gazelle’s is ever evocative.
Spending 94 minutes with Paulo is pretty easy because he’s so gentle and humble despite his flamboyant, even exhibitionistic, behavior. He’s an island of genuine kindness in a sea of snark and bitchiness.
The International Film Festival of North Hollywood (IFFNOHO) is showcasing the LA premiere of Gazelle: The Love Issue as the festival’s opening night film on Thursday, April 28, and it’s a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.