Filmmaker John Waters achieved what he calls a “sort-of fame” based on his bad taste and others’ bad reviews. “If someone vomits watching one of my films, it’s like getting a standing ovation, ” he once wrote. Sincerely shameless during the 1970s, when the obscenity of movies such as Pink Flamingos shocked audiences, Waters seems to have softened into his 70s; the latest role in his filmography was a part in Alvin and the Chipmunks. His darkly subversive humor—a lifelong This story is from Kinfolk Issue Thirty Buy Now Related Stories Films Issue 50 Sally Potter The film maestro on her musical debut. Films Issue 49 Ruben Östlund Crude, contrary—and killing it: Meet the auteur of awkwardness. Films Issue 49 Mamoudou Athie The shape-shifting actor is on a roll. Films Issue 49 Fares Fares After almost 25 years, the master actor steps behind the camera. Films Issue 48 Slaying It On the building blocks of horror. Fashion Films Issue 47 Farida Khelfa France’s fashion muse.
