Michelle, “C’est La Vie” Club, North Hollywood 1972

Anthony Friedkin made this photograph of Michelle at the "C’est La Vie” Club in North Hollywood, and it feels like a memory, a moment caught. The monochrome palette, full of soft greys and deep blacks, gives the image a timeless quality, like an old movie still. Look at the way the light catches Michelle's face, the highlights on her cheekbones and the way it defines her eyes. It's almost sculptural. The texture of her hair, that wild, voluminous style, is so tactile, you can almost feel the hairspray. And behind her, the backstage clutter – wigs, cans of product – it’s all part of the story. It reminds me of Nan Goldin’s images, that same raw, intimate portrayal of a world often hidden from view. What Friedkin shares with Goldin is a deep respect and empathy for his subjects. He lets them be seen on their own terms. It’s not just a photograph; it’s a collaboration, an exchange, a moment of connection frozen in time.