A compelling documentary about an idiosyncratic and charismatic subject, this could also be titled “The Story of Nine Lives” or “The Story of a Lucky Man”. The noted Slovak photographer Vano variously made a living as creative director for the Czech Elle, an in-demand hair and makeup stylist for fashion shoots and a luxury hairdresser. In his thirties, he earned thousands of dollars a day but never became a rich man; a pricey cocaine habit interfered. His life was in danger many times, but somehow, he always pulled through. Born in 1948 in Nové Zámky, to parents of Hungarian descent, he stole away from his homeland in 1967 to avoid military duty. After some time in Italy, he came to the US in 1968, a long-haired aesthete, interested in discos and boys. Director Zika makes fine use of a selection of archival photos and stunning examples of Vano’s work. (Source: Art Film Fest 2018)