A Story So Colorful It Needed A Camera

Matt Tyrnauer is the brilliant director of the critically acclaimed documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor.  Beginning his career at Spy Magazine, then the New York Observer, and since 1992 a special correspondents reporter for Vanity Fair.  Unbeknownst to me, Tyrnauer is the author of the 2005 post prison Vanity Fair Martha Stewart story, one of my favorite Vanity Fair articles to date.

At the Chicago premiere of VTLE, I was lucky enough to sit down with Matt to talk a little bit about the film.  The movie first cam about after Tyrnauer did a story of Valentino for Vanity Fair.  It was during that story that Valentino and the people and the world surrounding him intrigued Tyrnauer.  "It was a story so colorful, I felt like I needed a camera to capture it", Tyrnauer replied when asked why he did the film.  Having seen the movie, that statement makes perfect sense.  The glamorous world of Valentino is too incredible for words on paper.  VTLE went far beyond what any other fashion documentary has gone.  We got to see Valentino the designer, but we also got Valentino the lover.  Tyrnauer was able to capture the most amazing love story between Valentino and Ginacarlo Giammetti, all without ever capturing a physical intimate moment.  There was no kissing, holding hands, nothing.  "It's in their eyes", Tyrnauer states. "Just look into their eyes as they talk to each other and you can see and feel their love."  I wondered if the lack of physical interaction between Valentino and Giammetti was a conscious move on their part or if that's just how they are in real life.  Tyrnauer explained, "They are gentleman of a different era."

VTLE was Tyrnauer's first foray into film and his first real foray into the world of high fashion.  Asked if he would do another documentary on a fashion figure Tyrnauer pauses and says "Nothing can top Valentino."  So with that I look forward to the DVD release which Tyrnauer promised would be full of great unseen footage not made into the final cut, including a visit from Martha Stewart to the Valentino Estate.

I urge everyone to go see this movie!  The film opens in LA and San Francisco this week and is currently showing in New York City and Chicago.  Visit the movies website, www.valentinomovie.com, for updates on the films release in a city near you.