The Black and White Ball, which Truman Capote hosted at the Plaza Hotel in 1966, has since attained legendary proportions in the annals of social history.
A compelling FX miniseries, Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, illuminates the intriguing relationship between renowned documentary filmmakers the Maysles brothers and Truman Capote as it pertains to this soirée.
Despite its captivating appearance, the Black and White Ball was not filmed by the Maysles brothers. This fact prompted a more thorough investigation into the veracity of the rumor.
The Maysles Relationship
Truman Capote and Albert and David Maysles, renowned for their seminal documentaries Salesman and Grey Gardens, shared an authentic rapport.
The miniseries’ fictionalized rendition of the Black and White Ball documentary, A Visit With Truman, originates from a 29-minute short film of the same name that was also produced by the Maysles siblings in that year.
This personal documentary offers an insight into the life of Capote, documenting his sense of humor, philosophy, and personality as he discusses his most recent book, In Cold Blood.
Disproving the Myth
Contrary to what Feud asserts, the Maysles brothers did not record the Black and White Ball. The writer of the series, Jon Robin Baitz, claims that the Maysles’ editorial control over the footage was fabricated for dramatic effect.
In actuality, neither Capote nor the Maysles brothers ever fired the ball, nor did they exercise any authority over their documentary. Instead, they embarked on an unrelated endeavor alongside Capote in Long Island.
Stylistic Approach of Gus Van Sant
The director of the miniseries, Gus Van Sant, imbued the third episode, “Masquerade 1966,” with a distinctive visual aesthetic. The episode employs the Direct Cinema technique to document the planning and implementation of the Black and White Ball, imitating the aesthetic of Albert and David Maysles.
A captivating fusion of fiction and reality, Van Sant’s commitment to historical accuracy and meticulous attention to detail produce this result.
Camerawork and Period Accuracy in Documentary
To emulate the documentary technique employed by the Maysles brothers, Van Sant conducted an exhaustive analysis of their body of work. He emphasizes that the handheld fashion of the 1960s was not the exaggerated, MTV-influenced iteration that is prevalent today. Ensuring the documentary camerawork appeared authentic while remaining plausible for the era in question was the primary objective.
Recap of Masquerade 1966
As the episode explores the preparatory activities for the Black and White Ball, the inner workings of Capote and the Swans become apparent. While the Maysles candidly documents confidential moments, the Swans compete for the esteemed designation of “Guest of Honor.”
However, tensions arise as a result of the documentary-style filming, which illuminates the complexities of high society and intimate relationships.
Feud: Capote vs. the Swans provides an intriguing view into the world of Truman Capote and the renowned Black and White Ball through the lens of fiction.
Although the Maysles brothers did not record the gala in question, their association with Capote enriches the storyline. The miniseries, under the direction of Gus Van Sant, adeptly integrates stylistic decisions with historical precision, offering audiences an engrossing investigation into the mysterious Edgar Allan Capote and the opulent Swans.
