- 2016
- Magnolia Pictures
- 1 h 23 m
SummaryThe true story of the incredible Princess Shaw and the enigmatic composer Kutiman, who discovers her from the other side of the world. By day, Samantha Montgomery cares for the elderly in one of New Orleans’s toughest neighborhoods. By night, she writes and sings her own songs as Princess Shaw on her confessional YouTube channel. Raw and vulnerab...
Presenting Princess Shaw
Metascore
Generally Favorable
77
User score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
77
89% Positive
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
11% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Jun 2, 2016
88
Just when you were about to give up on the Internet as a swamp full of trolls, bullies, and liars, along comes a documentary like Ido Haar’s Presenting Princess Shaw.
May 24, 2016
80
Some viewers may feel a little uneasy watching her being almost "catfished" by the deception, even if it turns out to be a delightful surprise, and a real emotional money shot when it finally lands.
Jun 2, 2016
75
It’s a lovely tale, even if it’s not quite the Cinderella story you might expect. The documentary also brings up some interesting points about how the Internet — the land of vitriolic trolls — can draw two very different people together to create great art from odds and ends.
May 27, 2016
75
Princess, as a singer, is the real deal, with a throaty resonance that at times recalls Nina Simone. What Kutiman, whom she eventually meets in Israel, has given her is a newfound and miraculous platform for her talent.
May 25, 2016
75
This film barely brushes up against the many, many issues it raises, but those conversations can be had in the lobby, after the pleasure of watching an underappreciated artist finally get her due.
May 22, 2016
50
The peculiar circumstances of the documentary necessitate more transparency than the filmmaker is willing to offer.
User score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
100% Positive
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Jun 11, 2016
7
An interesting story with an uplifting message. But, even though it's said to be true, the film's designation as a "documentary" seems a bit questionable, given the chronology of events and the participants' supposed one-sided awareness of one another in the unfolding of events. With that caveat in mind, it's still entirely possible to enjoy the picture and what it has to offer, even if the authenticity of its contents is somewhat suspect.
Report
Production Company:
- First Hand Films
Release Date:May 27, 2016
Duration:1 h 23 m
Genres:
Tagline:The extraordinary collaboration between SAMANTHA MONTGOMERY and KUTIMAN
Awards
Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Sheffield International Documentary Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Biografilm Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
