An old mother and her middle-aged daughter, the aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, live their eccentric lives in a filthy, decaying mansion in East Hampton.

Welcome to Grey Gardens, an exceedingly dilapidated East Hampton mansion home to “Big” Edie Beale and her middle-aged daughter, “Little” Edie, plus an assortment of raccoons and birds.

In this cult-classic documentary from Albert and David Maysles (Salesman, Gimme Shelter) the Beales (distant cousins to Jackie Kennedy Onassis) reminisce on their halcyon days as socialites as they sit in squalor, not entirely aware of a world that has passed them by. But don’t underestimate or patronize these ladies—particularly Little Edie, a self-proclaimed staunch (“S-T-A-U-N-C-H!”) character with a singular fashion sense, vigorous demeanor and opinions on everything and anybody. Funny, illuminating and occasionally bittersweet, Grey Gardens was both controversial and groundbreaking upon its initial release. By giving the Maysles extensive access to their eccentric lives, Big and Little Edie were true precursors to today’s reality television stars.