A few days ago, Lisa asked me what my favorite film of 2011 was.  I thought about it for a few minutes and then I said, “Bill Cunningham New York.”

Bill Cunningham New York is a documentary about Bill Cunningham, an 80 year-old fashion photographer who has been the fashion photographer for The New York Times since 1978.  The film follows Bill as he takes pictures of both celebrities and ordinary people in the streets and shows how, through his photography, the unassuming and humble Bill Cunningham has preserved a visual history of how New York City has changed through the years.  In interviews, Bill talks about everything from his sexuality to his feelings on religion but what mostly comes through is his love for taking pictures.  Whenever I need cheering up or I’m frustrated with my own attempts to take that perfect picture, this is the film I watch and it never fails to cheer me up and it just makes me want to grab my camera and go take a hundred pictures.

That’s why Bill Cunningham New York is not only my favorite movie of 2011 but one of my favorite movies of all time.