Product Description

A critically acclaimed look into the life and times of legendary fashion designer Valentino. The film documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of the fashion icons celebrated career, tells the story of his extraordinary life and work, and also explores the larger themes affecting the fashion business today. But at the heart of the film is the unique relationship between Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #847 in DVD
• Brand: PEACE ARCH HOME ENTERTAINMENT
• Released on: 2009-09-08
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, Italian, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 96 minutes

Features

• VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR (DVD MOVIE)

Amazon.com
Every iconic fashion designer deserves his or her own documentary, as it's a chance for the public to consider careers dedicated to making and breaking trends. Lagerfeld Confidential released in 2007, the same year Valentino Garavani saw his museum retrospective at Rome's Ara Pacis. Where was Valentino's film? Not to fear, as director Matt Tyrnauer was there with the camera, whether Valentino liked it or not, documenting his retrospective events and the chaos leading up to them. Valentino: The Last Emperor details this 77-year old icon's history, though it focuses, rather too heavily, on the bonanza surrounding the retrospective and the label's takeover that Valentino and partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, built over a fifty-year stretch. That said, Valentino is a fascinating interview subject whether he is talking about sequined gowns, dressing Jackie Kennedy, corporate takeover, or his five pugs, who star alongside him in the film. Watching this film, one gets pugs in diamond earrings, pugs riding jets, pugs passed out in an alpine mountain house. Valentino leads Lagerfeld around like old pals, to examine his renowned body of work. Women crouch around models sewing and cutting, and hair and makeup teams fly through rooms, apparition-like before the camera lens. The film isn't lacking for glamour, and if one is in the mood for a little Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, then Valentino will satisfy tenfold.

Interview footage of the man himself and Mr. Giammetti in action--at editorial meetings, directing seamstresses, backstage before runway shows--gives a good glimpse into what these two men have spent the past 50 years doing. As Valentino says when repeatedly badgered about his retirement date, he's only taken three- to four-day holidays, and rarely, since his business exploded in 1968. He and Giammetti stroll down Via Veneto, where they reminisce about meeting and about La Dolce Vita. And one does learn about Valentino's early inspirations, such as Ziegfield Girl. There are a few short vintage footage clips of Valentino and his ladies, but the film would be so much stronger if there were more. In fact, one barely gets to view Valentino's haute couture, in scenes during retrospective events. The documentary's drama relies solely on Valentino, the charismatic tornado, rather than dwelling on his styles, probably as it should be. --Trinie Dalton

Review
A must-see for fashion lovers and pop-culture addicts --The New York Times

Review
Flawless --Time

Customer Reviews

Elegant Film of an Elegant Life

Here is how haute couture is made. Valentino employed 100 seamstresses and owned one sewing machine (which no one would use). In the film, you see how each dress was lovingly designed and assembled and how the 45+ year partnership of Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giametti produced runway show after runway show. These partners clearly inspire the love and loyalty of their staff.

You see the sense of style that pervades the life. The entertaining, the travel, the pampered pets.

While the film is a fully positive portrait of this marvelous fashion house and its two leaders, the future looms. The company was sold in 1998 (and then again). The corporate owners don't appreciate the art and want more handbags, shoes and ready to wear. There are glimpses of this pressure as the film leads up to Rome's "45 Years of Valentino", a retrospective with pageantry worthy of its subject.

The film has a genuine quality. Some shots, being candid, won't have the perfect balance and people hesitate in speech. You see the tension in the preparation for big shows.

While others will not appreciate the film, if you are interested in the art of fashion, this is a must see.

Wonderful film! Can't wait for the DVD now!
I saw this movie in a local theatre and it was far better than I expected. Although there is a lot about fashion, I found the most light-hearted and funny moments about Valentino's relationship with Giancarlo. They are such a great couple.... they complete each other and their 'married' style of bickering made me laugh a lot. Wonderful fashions, lots of celebrities, and yes, the special pugs that seem to take over everything! Definately can't wait until 08 September for the DVD to be released!

Quite a Man
"Valentino; The Last Emperor"

Quite a Man

Amos Lassen

The name Valentino is synonymous with style. For 50 years Valentino has been one of the world's most sought after designers whose clothes symbolize glamour. He does not just design wonderful clothing, he creates art. In "Valentino: The Last Emperor" we get a close look at Valentino, the man. This is a feature length film about the designer. More than 45 years ago he created the House of Valentino and now Matt Tyrnauer takes us on a tour of the man and his career. The film is engaging and intimate as it documents the designer's extraordinary life and career up to the point when Valentino retired. The movie is about fashion but it is also about the private men. The core of the film is the relationship between Valentino and his lover and business partner of fifty years, Giancarlo Giammeti.
Valentino met Giammeti in a cage in 1960 and the two men immediately complimented each other. Valentino needed love and Giammeti gave it to him as well as a sense of organization. He has since run the business while Valentino created. Valentino gowns are some of the most sought after creations--they are handmade, beautiful and wearable. Just the name Valentino means glamour and that is what this film is filled with. It is a loving tribute to a man who has brought so much happiness to so many.