Watch Call Her Applebroog

Call Her Applebroog is a documentary film that was released in 2016, which is directed by Beth B. The film focuses on the life and work of Ida Applebroog, a New York-based artist who gained reverence in the 1970s for her multimedia installations, which spoke on issues like wartime trauma, gender identity, and familial relationships.

The film takes an intimate look at her life in the present day, where Applebroog is in her 80s and still practicing, and it reexamines her earlier critically acclaimed pieces. The film portrays how Applebroog's innovative and unconventional approach to art helped her gain widespread acclaim despite the fact that she wasn't able to practice consistently, at least as an individual artist, for much of her life.

The film jumps between scenes of Applebroog's daily life and interview pieces with the artist and the artist's surviving family members, including her sons and several of her granddaughters. The interviews prompted Applebroog to reflect on the many trends throughout her career, including how her artistic perspective has evolved over time, and the family influences behind her earlier works.

The opening of the film sets the tone for the rest. A voiceover by Applebroog’s granddaughter, narrates: “I want everyone to know that this project was not instigated by Ida. It’s hard for her to talk about her life, and she doesn’t like to look back.” This serves as a warning that the film will turn personal and won’t shy away from painful memories. And it does.

There’s a haunting approach to depict various distressing turning points in Applebroog's life; the ones that had a deep impact on her artistic work. The film shows snippets from letters sent during her childhood, when her parents generously abused her sisters and her; she ran away for weeks at a time, and ultimately was confined to a mental hospital, where she stayed for almost two years. Those experiences would become a theme in her art throughout her career.

The film delves into Ida’s early artistic success with great scrutiny. Initially, she was introduced to commercial art at Cooper Union’s School Of Art in New York. As she progressed further into her career, Applebroog transformed into an avant-garde artist, orchestrating pieces that addressed traumatic familial experiences and exposed society’s fixation on the female body.

The art world soon began embracing her as she exhibited alongside major artists of the time, including Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg. Quickly, her work became seminal in feminist art history and Applebroog gained international recognition. The narrative leads to her eventual decision to start again from scratch, doing away with her artistic persona and working purely under her given name.

The film also addresses how Ida used art as an outlet to express feelings that she found uncomfortable articulating to others. As Beth spells out early on, Applebroog “had something very important to say and she couldn’t say it with words,” which is shown through the different pieces showcased in the film, which includes photographs, visuals, and several amazing art installations.

Moreover, the film looks back on the works she produced after her renewed outlook as a reputable artist. Applebroog’s works displayed her vast intelligence, her wit and humor, and her daring analytical perspective. Through her art, she was able to question norms, especially the celebrity-obsessed, consumerist culture.

Call Her Applebroog is not just a film about art, but it is a tale of endurance and resilience of an artist making triumphant creations in the face of the many barriers that life placed obstructively in her path. It is also weaving a contemplative consideration of trauma, gender identity, and cultural eras.

In conclusion, Call Her Applebroog is a fascinating film that provides an intimate look at the life of one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. It examines Ida Applebroog's life and work, placing each within their historical and personal contexts. The film is not just a tribute to an artist, but an insightful study into a visionary who has influenced the art world and possibly, the world at large.

Call Her Applebroog is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 72.