About It's Me, Hilary: The Man Who Drew Eloise (HBO)

It's Me, Hilary: The Man Who Drew Eloise is a fascinating and intimate documentary released in 2015 by HBO. The film provides an in-depth look into the life and work of Hilary Knight, an American writer and artist best known for illustrating Eloise — the children's book series. The film not only focuses on Knight's work on Eloise but also delves into his personal life, passions, and struggles.

Making / Production

The film was directed by Matt Wolf and co-produced by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner. This one-hour portrait documentary was inspired by Lena Dunham's own fondness for the character Eloise, leading her to reach out to Knight, with whom she developed a deep friendship. The unique bond between Dunham and Knight is palpable throughout the documentary, adding a personal and touching perspective to the film.

Actors

• Lena Dunham - playing herself, Dunham explores her attachment to the Eloise books and her connection to Knight. She effectively portrays her genuine admiration and affection for Knight.
• Hilary Knight - Known for his illustrations in the Eloise series, he opens up for the first time about his life, revealing a man as colorful as his characters.
• Tavi Gevinson - appearing as herself, Gevinson discusses the impact of the Eloise series and Knight's illustrations on her own work and growing up.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is full of previously unseen images and footage from Knight's personal archives, providing viewers with an unprecedented look into his personal and professional life.
• One of the inspirational reasons behind this documentary is Lena Dunham's tattoo of Eloise, which led her to discover Hilary Knight.
• This documentary marked the first time that Knight openly discussed his role in the creation of Eloise and his relationship with author Kay Thompson.

Awards

No awards have been registered for this film.

Quotes

• Hilary Knight: "Eloise is me... But of course, Eloise is everybody who was ever a child."
• Lena Dunham: "I always say that Hilary didn't just illustrate Eloise. He is Eloise."

Music, Soundtrack

• The score for It's Me, Hilary: The Man Who Drew Eloise is as eccentric and vibrant as its subject. The original music is subtle yet engaging, with a playful tone that perfectly mirrors the character of Eloise and the personality of Hilary Knight.