Vivian Maier Photographer

This 12-minute video by Tom Palazzolo and Chicago writer Jack Helbig tells the story of the recently discovered Chicago street photographer Vivian Maier. Though she was unknown in her lifetime, her extensive body of work is rewriting the history of post-World War II American street photography. The video, told from the point of view of Maier herself, recounts her life and work, from her childhood in France to her move to NYC in 1951 and subsequent relocation to Chicago, where the majority of her work was done. The film also delves into the paradox that this now internationally known photographer worked all of her life in obscurity as a nanny and home health care worker.

Vivian Maier is played by Chicago actor Judith Hoppe. Edited by Mike Bullis.