[3] She approaches her subjects' lives with a "quiet" demeanor and "non-judgmental" attitude, allowing her to capture and document real stories.
"[6] Brettkelly wrote about herself, "My parents took me from Papua New Guinea to Portugal, encouraging a wonder and appreciation for the diversity of peoples and their stories".
[9] In an article, Rebekah Brammer describes the documentary as depicting the meticulous images of magnificent gowns, intimate footage, insightful interviews, culture clash, craft and aspiration, and the grueling labor behind high fashion.
Deborah Young of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film, describing it as, "a documentary not just for archivists but for those who see film as a vital part of local culture",[10] while Indiewire writer Eric Kohn called the movie an "eye-opening documentary ... a moving navigation of Afghanistan’s past and present".
Brettkelly said about the film, "When I first went to Afghanistan, I found the people so different from what I have been fed through media and reportage," and thus, her mission became to tell a story that completely altered awareness of Afghans.
[13] Brettkelly met Italian artist Vanessa Beecroft when filming in Sudan after the end of one of the longest running civil war in African history.
Beecroft is famous for her provocative performance art, and while in Sudan for a project had decided to try and adopt motherless twins.
[14] Brettkelly eventually followed Beecroft's adoption efforts over 16 months, which formed the basis for The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins.
Brettkelly's website describes the film, "Beauty Will Save The World follows the exploits of 19 year-old Teca Zendik, the American contender for the crown.
She sets out with her political loyalties in check, even refusing to wear the competition uniform – a teeshirt emblazoned with Gaddafi's likeness.
Marvel at how diplomatic ties are re-established between two nations, enjoy the behind-the-scenes antics of a beauty pageant, and seize the chance to see rare footage of Gaddafi himself in this accidental political documentary.
"[19][20] This relates to how Brettkelly views her work, saying, "I believe my films have a considered quietness, a non-judgmental approach that allows subjects to tell their stories.