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Presenting Princess Shaw

Play trailer 2:19 Poster for Presenting Princess Shaw Released May 27, 2016 1h 20m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
The extraordinary story of New Orleans singing sensation Princess Shaw and her collaborator Kutiman, a musician in Israel who uses her YouTube videos to create something magical.
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Presenting Princess Shaw

Presenting Princess Shaw

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Critics Consensus

Presenting Princess Shaw works as a uniquely uplifting look at internet stardom -- and a compelling glimpse of an artist whose gifts transcend the medium.

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Critics Reviews

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Neil Genzlinger New York Times The film, which had a brief theatrical release last year, is a feel-good story for the age of viral video. Jul 12, 2017 Full Review Dwight Brown National Newspaper Publishers Association This is a brilliant documentary. Completely fascinating and inspiring. Nov 8, 2016 Full Review Andrea Gronvall Chicago Reader Chicago-born singer-composer Samantha Montgomery, aka Princess Shaw, seeks personal and artistic validation in this affecting documentary. Jun 9, 2016 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter The film works as human entertainment and bootstrap inspiration. Jun 10, 2020 Full Review Phil W. Bayles One Room With A View A thoroughly uplifting film about an undeniably talented woman and the beauty of online collaboration. It's an utter knockout. Rated: 5/5 Apr 1, 2019 Full Review Stephen Saito Moveable Fest The revelation, much like the majority of "Thru You Princess," happens in such a graceful and humanly tender way that you can't possibly imagine it until you see the emotions that cross her face. Nov 19, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (9) audience reviews
Audience Member A wonderful movie about a powerful young woman and a remarkable man who came together to create beauty. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Amazing uplifting. Must watch for music lovers. A few of you creative ones, give it a watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member It is approximately 5 am in Israel - and a new sun is rising. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review ranny l "T" is for teens. I like this film and loved meeting the people involved in it. I was a little concerned that this might not be a KIDS FIRST movie but it is. We are all into YouTube, Facebook, social media and many other electronic connections with other people. This movie has all of the above. It is a documentary about two people who are followed on a journey of friendship - a great composer, a fabulous singer, a live concert in Israel and a unique film. I loved the storyline. My favorite part about the movie is all the music. There is a large mix of music from vocals, pianos, violins, guitars, drums and many more instruments. Kutiman is a great composer from Israel. He traveled 7,000 miles across the Internet to find a great singer. I felt uncomfortable during some of the scenes and my Mom said I was a little too young to understand a few of them. Unfortunately, everyone's life is not perfect and people struggle every day and deal with crazy situations. Yes, I do feel this is a KIDS FIRST movie because it is not cute, funny or Hollywood. It is about real life. The message in this film is to never give up your dreams but to keep them alive and pursue them. This film gives you insight into how we can all feel hopeless and want to give up. That is the time when you cry, eat ice cream, dig deep and get yourself back up and into the fight for your dream. Samantha Montgomery, also known as Princess Shaw, pursues her singing career when and wherever she can. Finally, a composer in Israel discovers her YouTube page and a great friendship and collaboration begins. Ido Haar who is Kutiman's friend and a director watched the first music mash up video and is intrigued by the process. So, he follows the musicians and the vocalist Kutiman has his heart set on. He even flies back and forth between Israel and the United States several times over the course of a year to capture the real story of Princess Shaw and her journey on film. Meanwhile he is also filming Kutiman's journey. The actual footage is a breath of fresh air from all the CGI graphics taking place in movies today. You get to sit back and watch a real life story. You really care about what happens to these people. You cry when they struggle and cheer when things go well. I appreciated the emotional attachment you feel throughout the film. The appropriate age range for this film is 14 to 18 years old. There are a few curse words. There are stories about bad things that happened to children. That is a reality. This is a now film. It is something that could really happen to you today. You never know when or how your dreams will come true. Even when they do, you still have to work hard to keep them alive. I rate this 4 1/2 out of 5 singing stars. Reviewed by Morgan B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more youth reviews, go to kidsfirst dot org. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review brent m An interesting story with an uplifting message. But, even though it's said to be true, the film's designation as a "documentary" seems a bit questionable, given the chronology of events and the participants' supposed one-sided awareness of one another in the unfolding of events. With that caveat in mind, it's still entirely possible to enjoy the picture and what it has to offer, even if the authenticity of its contents is somewhat suspect. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Great Documentary. It touches on all of your emotions. It is a must see. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Presenting Princess Shaw

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Movie Info

Synopsis The extraordinary story of New Orleans singing sensation Princess Shaw and her collaborator Kutiman, a musician in Israel who uses her YouTube videos to create something magical.
Director
Ido Haar
Producer
Liran Atzmor
Screenwriter
Ido Haar
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
First Hand Films, Reconsider
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 27, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$60.2K
Runtime
1h 20m
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