McQueen (2018)

The life and career of fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen: from his start as a tailor, to launching and overseeing his eponymous line and his untimely death.

Directors:

Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui (co-director)

Writer:

Peter Ettedgui

Stars:

Bernard Arnault, Joseph Bennett, Detmar Blow

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 win & 9 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Bernard Arnault	...	Himself
Joseph Bennett	...	Himself
Detmar Blow	...	Himself
Isabella Blow	...	Herself (archive footage)
Katy England	...	Herself
Tom Ford	...	Himself
Magdalena Frackowiak	...	Herself
Jodie Kidd	...	Herself
Alexander McQueen	...	Himself (archive footage)
Gary James McQueen	...	Himself
Janet McQueen	...	Herself
Joyce McQueen	...	Herself (archive footage)
Kate Moss	...	Herself
Michelle Olley	...	Herself
Sebastian Pons	...	Himself

Storyline

Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.

---

Plot Keywords:

fashion | fashion designer | fashion show | workaholic | dog lover | 

---

Taglines:

The fearless, rebellious and extraordinary life of Alexander McQueen.

---

Genres:

Documentary | Biography

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

8 June 2018 (UK)

Also Known As:

Alexander McQueen

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$98,873, 22 July 2018, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,257,275, 4 October 2018

Company Credits

Production Co:

Salon Pictures, Misfits Entertainment, Creativity Capital

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

McQueen was openly gay. He contracted a civil union with his companion George Forsyth in 2000 in Ibiza. It was an unofficial marriage, because in Spain two men could not yet marry each other. The relationship did not last.

---

Quotes

Sebastian Pons: [about Lee Alexander McQueen] One thing he used to say - paranoia will destroy ya.

---

Soundtracks

Arbor
Written and performed by Sam Ho
Licenced Courtesy of Awwww Music

User Reviews

They don't make them like this anymore

Closest to docufiction, consisting of mainly documentary material combined with certain scripted narratives, dividing title character's life in well-defined chapters, fictionally captured on "tapes", British production "McQueen" (2018), directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, gives an all-inclusive, many personal perspective (from a wide-range of people interviewed) look at the life and extraordinary talent, propelling sometimes controversial, ultimately, artistically and business-wise unprecedented career of the enfant terrible of fashion, Lee Alexander McQueen. From among those who were lucky enough to have spent time with him, and close enough to have had their lives touched by his clearly inspirational and motivating presence, many have contributed a word and shared their memories here: from his family members (mother, sister, nephew), partners, teachers, employers and employees, sponsors and promoters, fashion reviewers, colleagues and models. All comments together, organized in thematical chapters, "tapes" covering distinct periods of his life, create a comprehensive and rather impressive portrait of an extraordinary individual, from his humble beginnings, his meteorite success in launching and supervising his eponymous line, providing his conceptual and designing skills and artistry to numerous collections and dramatized fashion shows, all the way to his premature death.

I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of fashion: just an occasional spectator, even less frequent follower, if at all. Yet, this documentary caught my attention from the get-go, and kept it on high till the end. I learned a lot and started to appreciate.

In short, this is a skillful and insightful, an exciting and poignant documentary about someone who was in the public eye ever since his middle twenties, therefore easily leaving behind lots of personal footage from both, his professional activities (running in parallel his own line of fashion clothes production and organizing shows for other fashion houses) and his private life (exposed and discussed in numerous interviews along the way) about his alluring, intensively creative and, therefore, despite being cut short, very productive life.

As one of the interviewees summarized on McQueen and his growing charisma, they don't make them like this anymore.

By the way, quite deservedly, and indicative for its quality and attraction, film won a popular vote, Audience Vote Best Feature Film, at the latest, 18th edition of Beirut International Film Festival, 22-28 April 2019.