United Kingdom | 2018 | 111 minutes | Ian Bonhote, Peter Ettedgui
Exhilarating yet touching, this vivacious documentary takes an honest look at the life of late fashion designer Alexander McQueen, from his humble beginnings and surge to stardom in the fashion world to his battles with mental illness, in an unflinching ode to one fashion's most original artists.
For years the enigmatic life and work of famed British fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been an inspiration for photographers, designers, and filmmakers alike. His love and commitment to perfect tailoring and design catapulted his career after his teenage years as an apprentice. His experimental style and divine haute couture collections soon placed him as the top designer for Givenchy, before launching his own label and collecting several British and international awards in the industry. McQueen is the first holistic portrait of his life: from his humble beginnings as an apprentice for the Savile Row tailors Anderson and Shepherd, to becoming one of the fashion world's most celebrated and controversial figures, to his tragic death. Director Ian Benhote takes several unique approaches to pay his respects to McQueen, and his documentary defies traditional methods. Benhote makes deft use of recreated scenes, in depth interviews, stunning visuals, archival footage, and music to create an exhilarating experience, analogous to how Alexander McQueen lived, before tragically taking his own life in 2010 after long battles with depression, anxiety, and drug addiction. As thrilling and visually arresting as it is endearing and honest, McQueen is a genuine ode to the legend that is Alexander McQueen.
Martin Rodriguze Redondo studied filmmaking at the Centro de Investigacion Cinematografica in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has served as an assistant director and producer on numerous documentaries. His short film Las Liebres won the short film competition at the Instituto Nacional de Cine y Artes Audiovisuales (INCAA) in Argentina.
Sponsored by The Stranger, WatchGuard Technologies, Chloe Wine Collection
Director: Ian Bonhote, Peter Ettedgui
Principal Cast: Alexander McQueen
Premiere Status: Seattle
Producer: Nick Taussig, Paul Van Carter, Ian Bonhote, Andee Ryder
Screenplay: Peter Ettedgui
Cinematographers: Will Pugh
Editors: Cinzia Baldessari
Music: Michael Nyman
Filmography: Alleycats (2016)
US Distributor: Bleecker Street
International Sales: Embankment