Samuel W Connelly (SamTheWriter)
'Her Aim is True' is an artistically crafted voyage into Rock-n-Roll's past. It's a tantalizing taste of an all-but-forgotten time in America's history, told through the life of a real legend and pioneer. Jini Dellaccio was a woman years before her time, her story, 'Her Aim Is True', directed by Karen Whitehead, brings that incredible story to the screen in a truly satisfying fashion. To be honest, I was surprised at how quickly I was drawn into this film. I found myself captured within the first five minutes, and it only got better from there. With the sounds of so many iconic bands like; Neil Young, Ian Whitcomb, Mitch Ryder, The Who, The Wailers, The Sonics, Merrilee Rush & The Turnabouts, The Daily Flash, The Bard's, The Bootmen, and Paul Revere & The Raiders; and the setting, being, the magical and beautiful Pacific Northwest, 'Her Aim Is True' in perfumed with nostalgia. This is a story about American culture. It's a story about an important time in Rock-n-roll history. It's a story about an incredible woman- a stubbornly independent woman. It's a love story. It's a story about a revolutionary, an artist, an activist, and about a true dreamer. 'Her Aim Is True', is a film that is not just about Jini Dellaccio, but it's about all of us. Filled with rich tastes of a very potent time in America's history, director Karen Whitehead captures and serves up so many beautiful moments and landmark times of change in our culture. Rock-n-roll is an essential element in the evolutionary process of American history and the history of the world. To forget those who helped mold and shape the foundations of our artistic and musical history would be a true tragedy. It's a beautiful and necessary legacy Karen Whitehead has reminded us of through the story of a true American queen, rock-n-roll photography pioneer, and independent soul. Karen, the incredibly creative and talented director took this already amazing story and laid it all out in 90 minutes in such way that gives Dellaccio's story true justice. I'm just as impressed with Karen Whitehead's artistic structure of 'Her Aim Is True,' as I am with the story itself. Whitehead, an independent spirit herself isn't new to filmmaking, and her work shines through in 'Her Aim Is True'. Karen, a filmmaker from London, UK., is also a journalist. She's a former director/producer at the BBC and also did the current affairs output for the Independent Television network in the UK. In the US, Karen has made several documentary-style videos for non-profit organizations and advocacy filming for Autism. She also produced a film on the history of the Berlin Wall for the Newseum, which is currently on exhibit in Washington DC. She's a recipient of a CINE Golden Eagle Award for the short film, Woodlawn Redux she directed in 2008.In a time that we are seeing an awakening of independent documentaries, special issues films, and biopics, 'Her Aim Is True', is exactly what the independent spirit's about. This film has a largely universal appeal. I think that everyone should see it. Through the eyes and words of the 93 year old artist, yesterday's rock is experienced with new life and freshness. Adding the impeccable storytelling skills of Karen Whitehead, 'Her Aim is True', has easily landed in my top 10 independent documentary films of all time.
Jon DeMaio
Great documentary! "Her Aim is True" is a compelling look at the life and career of Jini Dellaccio, a true pioneer of rock photography. This film is great for fans of photography, rock and roll music, and the rock scene of the Pacific Northwest. I found that Jini's story has been a reminder that photographic art engages us with history, and is therefore indispensable. As an aspiring artist, seeing "Her Aim as True" has made me confident that doing what I love is meaningful. The documentary shows that Jini Dellaccio tapped into the youth and exuberance of the musicians around her, and, without exploiting them, she immortalized them. Filmmaker Karen Whitehead's documentary is a refreshing illustration of artists treating subjects with dignity, of filmmakers and photographers using their craft to foreground the talent of another artist. It's absolutely worth your while!
pride-alison
Two years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Jini Dellaccio for a magazine article I was writing. To meet Jini is to be swept up in the "Jini magic"--for to meet her is to be inspired by her. I am roughly the same age (that would be solidly middle-aged) as Jini was when she began photographing the garage rock bands of the Pacific Northwest, but this was just one remarkable stop on a career she made up as she went along. Jini never met a challenge she couldn't tackle--if she didn't know how to do something, she told people she did and then figured out how to do it. This is why I try to channel Jini now when I find myself thinking I'm too old to try something new. Director Karen Whitehead has perfectly captured the pioneering spirit of this remarkable woman in her film "Her Aim Is True." I've seen it three times, and I still choke up in the same spots. Jini was a woman ahead of her time, but she accomplished what she did without any of the modern-day self-promotion we are so used to; she let the work speak for itself, and it is breathtaking work, make no doubt about it. See the movie if you are a rock history buff (the archival footage is fascinating), but be prepared to come away inspired by the woman who made so many of those bands come alive, all while remaining true to her own vision. Jini is a true original, and we are fortunate indeed to have this film tribute to her life and work.
Elise Browne Hughes
I had never heard of Jini Dellaccio but came out of this film in love with her and her story. Filmmaker Karen Whitehead's portrait of Jini is inspiring--not because she picked out the good stuff to create a vanity piece, but because she tells a real story of a real person who the audience will certainly wish they knew. Jini was a middle-aged housewife and former jazz musician who fell into photography almost accidentally--then sweetly talked her way into creating album covers and photographing rock concerts. The result was beautiful and intimate images obviously made possible by a great rapport with her subjects, young rock stars who must have been startled by the warmth and acceptance exhibited by this motherly figure at a time when mothers didn't approve of boys with long hair! If the story weren't recommendation enough, the soundtrack, featuring many of the bands Jini captured, helps to create a goosebumps-inducing film-going experience.
