First Monday in May

The First Monday in May was the opening night film at Tribeca 2016. I did not see it until last Friday at the Paris Theatre (Our last full time single screen theater in Manhattan). Anyway, this documentary about the making of last year's China exhibit is a must see for all lovers of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and those (most notably on Trip Advisor) who refer to themselves as "not museum people".

The film shows off the museum after hours and way beyond the public spaces. The backstory includes the creation of the infamous McQueen exhibit. There are scenes from exhibit related trips to China, Paris, and London. Gorgeous Fashion. There are A-list people and museum goers like you and me. At some level it provides the backstory to The Devil Wears Prada.

One favorite part for me was when Andrew Bolton, the curator, said that when he was a teenager he was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up he said something like "curator of the costume department at the Met". I knew 2 people who knew Joe Papp right after he left the army. They each told of hearing Joe say that his dream was to manage a Free Shakespeare Company in NY. My life has certainly been enriched because these people lived their dreams.

The actual Opening is a party for the one percent. The money raised helps make exhibits available for all of us. Still pictures do not do this film justice. See it and visit The Met!