Watch Her Master's Voice

Her Master's Voice is an intriguing and emotionally nuanced autobiographical documentary released in 2012 that stars the British ventriloquist and comedian Nina Conti. The film delves into Conti's complex relationship with her craft and her mentor, the late Ken Campbell, who was not only a significant figure in the world of British theater but also a driving force behind Conti's career as a ventriloquist.

As a tribute and a personal exploration, Her Master's Voice sees Conti grappling with the loss of Campbell, who left her his collection of ventriloquist dummies after his sudden death in 2008. The documentary follows her journey to Vent Haven, the resting place for puppets of dead ventriloquists, located in Kentucky, USA. Vent Haven is also the venue for the Vent Haven ConVENTion, the world’s only international convention for ventriloquists, which becomes a pivotal point in the film’s narrative.

Throughout the documentary, Conti takes viewers on an intimate journey that is part reflection, part self-discovery, and part homage to her late mentor. Her interactions with the dummies, which she brings to life with her skill, create a series of candid and often humorous encounters that expose her inner turmoil and the challenges she faces in her personal and professional life.

Jim Broadbent and Daisy Campbell make appearances within the documentary, contributing to the exploration of Conti’s relationship with Ken Campbell. Broadbent, an accomplished British actor, shares his insights on Campbell and the significant impact he had on the world of theater and performance. Daisy Campbell, Ken's daughter, provides a more personal perspective, offering a glimpse into the family dynamics and Ken's role as a father and mentor.

One of the most compelling elements of Her Master's Voice is the way in which Conti uses her ventriloquist dummies not only as a means of performance but also as tools for self-expression and self-inquiry. The dummies become an extension of her psyche, allowing her to voice thoughts and emotions that might otherwise remain unspoken. They serve as conduits for exploration into themes of identity, legacy, and the nature of performance art.

Driven by Conti’s natural charm and sharp wit, the documentary maintains a balance between its emotional depth and lighter moments of comedic relief. Audiences witness her interactions with fellow ventriloquists at the convention, providing a fascinating glimpse into a unique subculture within the world of performative arts. These encounters range from the quirky and comical to the deeply moving, as Conti discovers that she is not alone in her complex relationship with her puppets.

The film also delves into the technical aspects of ventriloquism, with Conti often breaking the so-called “fourth wall” to engage directly with the audience about her feelings on the ventriloquist craft. Her self-reflective narrative is interwoven with performance footage, both onstage and off, revealing her remarkable ability to bring inanimate objects to life in a way that captivates and moves her viewers.

Her Master's Voice leaves a lasting impression, providing both an insightful look at a niche art form and a moving account of an artist's journey through grief and the search for identity. As a director, Conti’s intimate approach to documentary filmmaking offers an incredibly personal glimpse into her life, blurring the lines between subject and filmmaker in a way that adds to the film’s powerful emotional resonance.

Beyond merely a documentary about ventriloquism, Her Master's Voice is a thought-provoking meditation on the connections between performers and their onstage personas, and a touching consideration of the legacies that mentors leave behind. Conti tugs at the heartstrings while simultaneously tickling the funny bone, resulting in a documentary that is as unique and multifaceted as ventriloquism itself.

Ultimately, Her Master's Voice is not just a film about a ventriloquist grieving the loss of her mentor; it's also a universal story about finding one's voice, reconciling with the past, and the redemptive powers of art. For fans of Nina Conti, lovers of theater and performance, or anyone intrigued by the complexities of human emotion and expression, Her Master's Voice offers a rare and enchanting look behind the curtain of an artist grappling with the most profound questions of her career and life.

Her Master's Voice is a 2012 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.