November 10, 2023
FILM: CATERPILLAR
DIRECTED BY: LIZA MANDELUP
STARRING: DAVID TAYLOR
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Can changes to our physical appearance really change our lives? That is part of the question explored in Liza Mandelup’s new documentary Caterpillar. The film focuses on David Taylor who, at the start of the film, seeks to change the color of his eyes from brown to frost green. He decides to have the procedure done away from his Miami home by traveling to the headquarters of a company called Brightocular in India. Taylor’s reasons are part cultural: he was born of a mixed race and seeks to emphasize the lighter side of his inherited genes. His 70-year old mother is not exactly supportive believing David should hold on to what and who he is as a man. David though is a 50-something gay man trying to feel more comfortable in his own skin.
Throughout his journey, filmmaker Liza Mandelup introduces us to a number of equally vain people who feel their lives will be transformed if they have their eye color changed. Of course, there are various complications along the way but Mandelup seems more interested in following the stories of these people who are convinced such physical transformations will change their lives.
It is very hard to watch this film and not feel judgmental toward these desperate people. Taylor, like the others, feels “his life is gonna change.” Life will get better. However, is it worth the potential side effects? Isn’t this all just surface level vanity? It’s true that most of these people have more in common with reality television stars than with the average person trying to find happiness. They’re each undergoing significant physical changes that could be potentially dangerous. (Let’s keep in mind that the procedures they want done are being conducted in India, one of only a few countries that seems to be sanctioned to perform these implant-related procedures.)
What’s missing from the film is a larger discussion about why people feel the need to have such work done to their physical appearances. What’s the psychology of it all? These are people that want more attention, but what is it about them that requires such extreme transformations? As such, the film really only focuses on their surface level needs. They feel like reality show contestants with little sense of the larger issues surrounding them and the implications for their needs. Once complications arise, we’re not really surprised. We can see them coming.
Films like this always make me question the motivations behind even producing such a documentary. Who is filming? Is Brightocular behind it and did they expect a more positive outcome with their paying clients? For that matter, how is David Taylor affording all of this? If the company is behind it, what say did they have in the final conclusions the film makes?
It is a pretty involving film though. The people are interesting to watch even if we don’t know them particularly well. It’s yet another example of the vanity that is so much a part of our culture. We can either go along with it or sit back and say to those seeking a physical change, “what is wrong with you?”
Caterpillar is playing as part of DOC NYC. It is available to be streamed via its website through until November 26th. Go to https://www.docnyc.net/film/caterpillar/ to purchase online tickets.
FILM: CATERPILLAR
DIRECTED BY: LIZA MANDELUP
STARRING: DAVID TAYLOR
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Can changes to our physical appearance really change our lives? That is part of the question explored in Liza Mandelup’s new documentary Caterpillar. The film focuses on David Taylor who, at the start of the film, seeks to change the color of his eyes from brown to frost green. He decides to have the procedure done away from his Miami home by traveling to the headquarters of a company called Brightocular in India. Taylor’s reasons are part cultural: he was born of a mixed race and seeks to emphasize the lighter side of his inherited genes. His 70-year old mother is not exactly supportive believing David should hold on to what and who he is as a man. David though is a 50-something gay man trying to feel more comfortable in his own skin.
Throughout his journey, filmmaker Liza Mandelup introduces us to a number of equally vain people who feel their lives will be transformed if they have their eye color changed. Of course, there are various complications along the way but Mandelup seems more interested in following the stories of these people who are convinced such physical transformations will change their lives.
It is very hard to watch this film and not feel judgmental toward these desperate people. Taylor, like the others, feels “his life is gonna change.” Life will get better. However, is it worth the potential side effects? Isn’t this all just surface level vanity? It’s true that most of these people have more in common with reality television stars than with the average person trying to find happiness. They’re each undergoing significant physical changes that could be potentially dangerous. (Let’s keep in mind that the procedures they want done are being conducted in India, one of only a few countries that seems to be sanctioned to perform these implant-related procedures.)
What’s missing from the film is a larger discussion about why people feel the need to have such work done to their physical appearances. What’s the psychology of it all? These are people that want more attention, but what is it about them that requires such extreme transformations? As such, the film really only focuses on their surface level needs. They feel like reality show contestants with little sense of the larger issues surrounding them and the implications for their needs. Once complications arise, we’re not really surprised. We can see them coming.
Films like this always make me question the motivations behind even producing such a documentary. Who is filming? Is Brightocular behind it and did they expect a more positive outcome with their paying clients? For that matter, how is David Taylor affording all of this? If the company is behind it, what say did they have in the final conclusions the film makes?
It is a pretty involving film though. The people are interesting to watch even if we don’t know them particularly well. It’s yet another example of the vanity that is so much a part of our culture. We can either go along with it or sit back and say to those seeking a physical change, “what is wrong with you?”
Caterpillar is playing as part of DOC NYC. It is available to be streamed via its website through until November 26th. Go to https://www.docnyc.net/film/caterpillar/ to purchase online tickets.