In the early 1990s, Paul H-O became a fixture of the New York art scene with his public access show GalleryBeat. Armed with a video camera, he made his way around art openings and exhibitions, alienating some with his candid, witty assessments of their work but winning many fans in the process. Among the latter was Cindy Sherman, the press-shy art superstar, who later-to Paul's surprise-invited him to her downtown studio for a series of exclusive interviews, which form the basis of Guest of Cindy Sherman. During the course of these sessions, he not only gains unprecedented insight into her artistic process, but also develops a deep-seated romantic attachment to her. Cindy returns the sentiment, and a relationship blossoms between the two. Their bliss is somewhat short-lived, however, as Paul finds himself wracked with anxiety about his own personality becoming subsumed by his role as Cindy's "plus one" at the celebrity-studded art openings and dinners she regularly attends. Filmed over the course of 15 years and including interviews with a veritable who's who of the art and entertainment world (including Roberta Smith, Ingrid Sischy, John Waters, Robert Longo, Carol Kane, David Furnish, Danny DeVito, Molly Ringwald, and Eric Fischl), Guest of Cindy Sherman paints a vivid picture of a New York art scene increasingly driven by money and fame. H-O also tackles-with more than a bit of humor-the role his own fragile ego plays in his relationship with Sherman. The end result is a witty, illuminating look at celebrity, male anxiety, and art.

Tom Donahue and Paul H-O