Famed phone psychic Ms. Cleo is among the many subjects of Tony Shaff's new documentary "Hotline," which just had its world premiere at Hot Docs in Toronto this week. The film is a thoughtful and eye-opening look at the extensive world of phone hotlines -- from sex to suicide prevention to Ms. Cleo herself -- that expresses the importance of human-to-human interaction.
Cleo gives the film some considerably heartfelt energy as she talks about what being a phone psychic meant to her, and how hurt she was when many people pointed fingers at her when the company she worked for -- the Psychic Readers Network (a company she was often at odds with) -- was sued for deceptive advertising, billing and collection practices. Her name was cleared legally, but she never felt like people came around to believe that she was innocent (though if they see "Hotline," it would become hard to believe otherwise).
She was just as heartfelt -- and incredibly charming -- in person, when she sat down with me at Hot Docs to talk about her big screen debut.
"What I want people to take away from the film is that I'm hoping that we don't forget how to do this," she said, pointing back and forth between us. "That we get so comfortable with all this (points to my iPhone) that we forget. Because evolution is constant. I mean, certain banking institutions in America charge you to talk to a live person. You understand me? What is that? I have to pay $5 to talk to a teller!? Where are we going with all that. And if we don't stay connected now, I got to tell you -- I'm not idealistic about tomorrow. I worry about the children. And I worry about our ability to convey what we are feeling effectively. It's becoming a lost art."
Ms. Cleo Comes To Hot Docs: 'I'm As Gay As a Two Dollar Bill'|/Bent
See also:
Miss Cleo on Her Allegedly Fake Patois and Getting Ripped Off By the Psychic Readers Network
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