AllMovie

Photographer and documentary filmmaker Bruce Weber looks at the lives of his subjects, the nature of the creative spirit, his inner drives and desires, and what fuels his own muse in this, his third feature film. Named for the popular Cantonese-American dish that brings together a diverse range of ingredients, Chop Suey jumps back and forth between a number of different themes and perspectives, using both videotape and a variety of film stocks to add a similar variety to the movie's look. Weber explores his issues with self-image and sexuality as he explains the homoerotic subtext of his photography to one of his models, a former wrestler fresh out high school. Weber also discusses the importance of the work of other photographers as he hones his individual style, as well as actors and artists who had an important impact on him, including Robert Mitchum, Diana Vreeland, and Wilfred Thesiger. Weber also interviews Teri Shepherd, who discusses her relationship with her former lover, the late singer and comic Frances Faye. Chop Suey premiered at the 2001 Berlin Film Festival, where it was nominated for the festival's Teddy Award, a special prize for films with gay and lesbian themes.