Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (Cultographies)

Banned by the Carpenter estate, Todd Haynes’ experimental biopic Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (which uses Barbie dolls to narrate the tragic life of the American singer) has become a cult hit because of both its controversy and its rarity. This study details the film’s fascinating history: its production and initial reception, its journey through the courts, and its bootleg circulation among fans. It also explores Superstar‘s rich, provocative, and moving content, paying close attention to the film’s aesthetics, generic form, and cultural position as a hybrid text.