Dalida 2016
Distributed by Passion River Films, 154 Mt. Bethel Rd., Warren, NJ 07059; 732-321-0711
Produced by Lisa Azuelos, Jerome Seydoux
Directed by Lisa Azuelos
DVD, color, 127 min.
College - General Adult
Biography, Mass Media, Music, Popular Culture, Storytelling
Date Entered: 07/27/2018
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Dean of Library Services, Valparaiso UniversityBefore Pat Benetar and Maddona, there was Dalida .Born Iolanda Gigliotti in 1933, she grew up in Egypt during World War II .Winning the Miss Egypt beauty contest in 1954, she went on to become an international singing sensation, selling over 170 million records and recording in over seven languages. Her story, challenges, and ultimate suicide in 1987 is brilliantly documented in this two hour documentary, highlighting both the highs and the lows of her life and career.
Using numerous film clips of her performances and glimpses of her personal life, this film shows both the realities and the undercurrents of one modern international star. Useful for twentieth-century music history, popular culture, and entertainment history classes, Dalida's life story carries messages for students about late-twentieth century stardom, politics, and lifestyle.