The Princess
"The Princess" is a documentary that presents the story of Princess Diana, focusing on her public image and the media's portrayal of her. Unlike an intimate portrait, the film relies on television news footage and other public records to depict Diana's life as it unfolded in the public eye. Directed by Ed Perkins, the documentary weaves together period footage without the use of a narrator or contemporary interviews.
"The Princess" begins with Diana's emergence into the public spotlight in 1981 when she became engaged to Prince Charles. Through well-placed editing, it captures key moments in Diana's life - from her early days as a beautiful young woman pursued by reporters to her marriage to Charles.
From there, the documentary takes a soap opera-like turn, exposing Charles' affair with Camilla Parker Bowles and the subsequent breakdown of their marriage. It highlights Diana's personal struggles, including her battle with bulimia and self-harm, as well as her extramarital affairs.
What makes "The Princess" particularly intriguing is the third phase of Diana's saga, which challenges all common narratives by revealing that the fairy tale image of Charles and Diana was a projection by the public, fueled by romantic nostalgia. In reality, their marriage was arranged, and they barely knew each other. The documentary raises questions about Diana's complicity in joining a marriage that was, at its core, a piece of political theater.
Release: 2022
Stars: Princess Diana, King Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II
IMDB Score: 7.3/10
