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Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) -- A look at the life of legendary fashion designer Valentino
Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) -- Clip: An Old Lion
Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) -- Documentary about the fashion designer Valentino Garavani
Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) -- VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR is a feature film that has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of fashion, featuring unprecedented access to the high temples of Haute Couture. The legendary Valentino is the star of the film, along with his longtime business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti. VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR follows them for the final two years of their careers, and shows the struggles the two men face as they confront the final act of a nearly 50-year career at the top of the world's most glamorous and competitive game. The struggle of art against commerce is at the center of the film. In the end, however, the story proves to be not one about money or expensive clothes, but about love.
Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) -- Movieplayer.it - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   281 votes
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Up 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Matt Tyrnauer
Contact:
View company contact information for Valentino: The Last Emperor on IMDbPro.
Genre:
Documentary more
Plot:
A look at the life of legendary fashion designer Valentino. full summary | full synopsis
NewsDesk:
(50 articles)
Valentino Continues to Draw an A-List Crowd
 (From Vanity Fair. 5 November 2009, 9:18 AM, PST)

Hugh Jackson and Wife's Date Night at 'Valentino' Event
 (From The Insider. 4 November 2009, 5:13 AM, PST)

User Comments:
The Emperor's clothes are divine! more (13 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)
Valentino ... Himself (as Valentino Garavani)
Giancarlo Giammetti ... Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Giorgio Armani ... Himself
Jeannie Becker ... Herself
Alessandra Facchinetti ... Herself
Tom Ford ... Himself
Karl Lagerfeld ... Himself
Matteo Marzotto ... Himself

Gwyneth Paltrow ... Herself

Claudia Schiffer ... Herself
André Leon Talley ... Himself
Donatella Versace ... Herself
Diane von Fürstenberg ... Herself
Alek Wek ... Herself
Anna Wintour ... Herself
more

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Valentino (Australia)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some nudity and language.
Runtime:
USA:96 min | Argentina:96 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)
Country:
USA
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
Argentina:Atp | USA:PG-13 (certificate #45349) | Canada:G (British Columbia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Australia:M
Company:
Acolyte Films more

FAQ

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
The Emperor's clothes are divine!, 11 July 2009
10/10
Author: ChristianDiorScientist from Ontario

The fly-on-the-wall documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor was just released in Canada yesterday and it was mesmerizing! The film can induce laughter and tears but its insider expose of the fashion business is pure privilege for the viewer.

Valentino Garavani and his longtime companion and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti are products of La Dolce Vita - the early 60s in Italy when all things Italian, from Vespas and Pucci to Sophia Loren and Fellini, were the definition of chic. At the height of this second Italian Renaissance Valentino emerged as a couturier, becoming internationally known when he made Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis in 1968. For the next thirty years the company grew, expanding into ready to wear, accessories, and licensing, until 1998 when the company was sold for 300 million. Four years later, the company was resold, bringing Matteo Marzotto, a handsome, shrewd businessman into the picture, who at times is an antagonist to Valentino and Giancarlo.

This film captures 2006/07, before Valentino, age 75, decided to retire after celebrating his 45th year in fashion. The film also captures the death of couture, as it was defined in the 1950s by couturiers who had been trained by masters of dressmaking from the 1920s; Lagerfeld quietly whispers into Valentino's ear, thinking the microphone can not capture his words, 'You and I are the last two… everyone else makes rags.' This may sound egotistical, but its not far from the truth. Couturiers are a dying breed - in their place are designers, who make their living by branding accessories and scents while creating unwearable over-the-top creations intended as marketing opportunities for the fashion media.

This film also wryly captures the absurdity of fashion; a Fellini soundtrack plays while a string of fashion caricatures arrive at the finale dinner, from Donatella Versace and her perma-tanned skin and white-blonde hair to Karl Lagerfeld in his signature three inch tall collar and leather pants, to fan fluttering three hundred and fifty pound Andre Leon Talley. Valentino's fashion world is full of extraordinary characters; aging European princesses with bosoms bulging over their couture necklines ride on the back of Vespas like its still 1962, while cut throat businessmen make deals behind the guise of flirting smiles for the camera. Valentino tries to appear calm and in control but easily succumbs to childish temper tantrums, befitting his artistic temperament, while Giancarlo, who yields more authority over Valentino than anyone knows, tries to keep everything on an even keel.

This film is worth seeing more than once and the DVD will definitely be making a permanent home in our library!

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Message Boards

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watched it last night after I saw lilyvegas
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Valentino The Last Emperor dixiana
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