Without You I'm Nothing (film)
Encyclopedia
Without You I'm Nothing is a 1990 film starring and written by comedian and singer Sandra Bernhard
, based on material from her award-winning one-woman show of the same name. The film was shot on location in 1989 at The Coconut Grove in The Ambassador Hotel. Karole Armitage
was the choreographer.
It was released on VHS video cassette in 1990 and became a cult classic, prompting it to be re-released (again on VHS) in 2000 as part of the "MGM Avant-Garde Cinema" collection. It was not a commercial success, but it was highly praised by critics for its caustic commentary on American values and celebrity culture
. It was released on DVD on August 23, 2005.
The film, which was directed by John Boskovich, recreates moments from the stage show, often with Bernhard dressed in zany costumes reminiscent of the character she is embodying without actually "becoming" that character. Interspersed are faux-interview bits with actress Lu Leonard as Bernhard's manager and actor Steve Antin
, with whom she would later co-star in the film Inside Monkey Zetterland
. The film is notorious for a finale in which Bernhard wears nothing but pasties
and an extremely skimpy g-string (in an American Flag print,) and proceeds to go-go dance to the song "Little Red Corvette
" by Prince.
In Bernhard's 2006 Off-Broadway
show Everything Bad & Beautiful
, she concludes by showing the final footage from this film: an African American woman writing "Fuck Sandra Bernhard" on a tablecloth in lipstick.
Sandra Bernhard
Sandra Bernhard is an American comedian, singer, actress and author. She first gained attention in the late 1970s with her stand-up comedy in which she often bitterly critiques celebrity culture and political figures. Bernhard is number 97 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest standups of...
, based on material from her award-winning one-woman show of the same name. The film was shot on location in 1989 at The Coconut Grove in The Ambassador Hotel. Karole Armitage
Karole Armitage
Karole Armitage is an American dancer and choreographer currently based in New York City. She is Artistic Director of Armitage Gone! Dance, a contemporary ballet company that performs several times annually in New York City as well as touring internationally...
was the choreographer.
It was released on VHS video cassette in 1990 and became a cult classic, prompting it to be re-released (again on VHS) in 2000 as part of the "MGM Avant-Garde Cinema" collection. It was not a commercial success, but it was highly praised by critics for its caustic commentary on American values and celebrity culture
Celebrity culture
A celebrity culture is the structure that influences those deemed to be celebrities.-Brief history of celebrity culture:Any medium can be viewed as a vehicle for creating a celebrity culture. The famous religious books of the world's faiths are replete with examples of individuals who are well...
. It was released on DVD on August 23, 2005.
The film, which was directed by John Boskovich, recreates moments from the stage show, often with Bernhard dressed in zany costumes reminiscent of the character she is embodying without actually "becoming" that character. Interspersed are faux-interview bits with actress Lu Leonard as Bernhard's manager and actor Steve Antin
Steve Antin
Steven Howard "Steve" Antin is an American actor, stunt man, screenwriter, producer, and director.-Early life:Antin was born in Queens, New York, the son of British Jewish immigrants...
, with whom she would later co-star in the film Inside Monkey Zetterland
Inside Monkey Zetterland
Inside Monkey Zetterland is a 1992 film penned by former child actor Steve Antin.-Plot:Struggling former child actor and now-adult screenwriter Monkey Zetterland is working on a historical screenplay based around the defunct Red Car subway of Los Angeles...
. The film is notorious for a finale in which Bernhard wears nothing but pasties
Pasties
Pasties are adhesive coverings applied to cover a woman's nipples and areolae. Though pasties are commonly associated with burlesque and erotic entertainment, they are also at times worn as an undergarment and occasionally as beachwear.Some women wear pasties when wearing a strapless or backless...
and an extremely skimpy g-string (in an American Flag print,) and proceeds to go-go dance to the song "Little Red Corvette
Little Red Corvette
"Little Red Corvette" is a song by the American musician Prince. Released as a single from the album 1999 in 1983, the song was his biggest hit at the time, and his first to reach top-10 status in the U.S., peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart...
" by Prince.
In Bernhard's 2006 Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
show Everything Bad & Beautiful
Everything Bad & Beautiful
Everything Bad & Beautiful is the name of a live stage show and album performed/recorded by singer/comedienne/actress Sandra Bernhard. The show ran in 2006 in New York City at the Daryl Roth Theater. In the performance Bernhard does what she is best known for: she rips apart celebrity culture while...
, she concludes by showing the final footage from this film: an African American woman writing "Fuck Sandra Bernhard" on a tablecloth in lipstick.