The British Guide to Showing Off

The British Guide to Showing Off is a 2011 documentary film written and directed by Jes Benstock, which follows the build-up and execution of the twelfth Alternative Miss World - artist Andrew Logan's pastiche of the Miss World beauty pageant. Synopsis As well as charting the latest incarnation of the Alternative Miss World, the film studies the history of the show itself, which first took place in 1972 and has had a number of high-profile celebrities both entering and judging it. Cast The film features contributions from Brian Eno, Ruby Wax, Zandra Rhodes, Richard O'Brien, Nick Rhodes and Grayson Perry. Reception Variety wrote that the film was "Heartfelt and humorous" in its attention to the life of "eccentric" artist Andrew Logan and his creation of the "Alternative Miss World competition". They favorably compare director Jes Benstock's documentary to other works by artist Logan, calling it a "mixed-media collage" through its blending of archival footage and photos, its inclusion of commentary from the artist and his relatives, its inclusion of input from notables from the worlds of art, fashion, music and theater, and inventive animation.