McElwee’s first film and his thesis film for the graduate program at MIT. In Charleen, McElwee captures his dear and vivacious friend with extraordinary subtlety and dynamic pathos. Filmed over the course of a month in the life of this complex woman, dynamic teacher, and deeply literary soul, this portrait develops with wondrous unpredictability. Charleen is a “fast moving, fast talking” subject with a persona that sparkles on the big screen. The filmmaker’s portrait is a testament to how an intimate bond between the artist and the social actor translates into a rich film, full of love, empathy, and curiosity—complicated with just a dash of contradiction—that makes it all the more meaningful to watch.