On September 8th , 2009 Phase 4 Films will release Valentino:The Last Emperor on Blu-ray and standard definition DVD.
Produced and directed by Matt Tyrnauer, Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, the feature length film made its world premiere in 2008 at the Venice Film Festival, received three standing ovations at the Toronto Intern ational Film Festival, and opened theatrically to overwhelming critical acclaim earlier this year. An inspirational look into the life and times of the iconic fashion designer Valentino, the film documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of the last true couturier’s celebrated career, and revisits the story of his extraordinary life and work. But at the heart of the film is the unique and endearing relationship between Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti.
BONUS FEATURES:
· THE PERFECT LIFE (30 Minutes) takes the viewer inside Valentino’s homes around the world, revealing the unique lifestyle he’s created for himself and the amount of work it takes to maintain it. We follow Michael Kelly, Valentino’s Irish majordomo, as he prepares a lavish party at Chateau Wideville, Valentino’s estate outside of Paris . In the style of Robert Altman’s Gosford Park , we go back and forth between upstairs, where Valentino entertains his guests, and downstairs, where Michael Kelly directs the army of waiters, chefs and maids. In a second chapter, we fly on the private aircraft with Valentino and his entourage to Gstaad for a vacation at the glamorous ski resort. Lastly, we discover Valentino’s residence on Fifth Avenue , as Valentino visits New York for the Costume Institute Benefit Gala.
· In THE LAST COLLECTION (8 Minutes), we see Valentino’s farewell haute couture show. The show took place in January 2008 in Paris , five month after Valentino announced his retirement. Memorable for his all-red finale, the show was a last homage to Valentino’s creative genius, attended by the likes of Uma Thurman, Claudia Schiffer and Muccia Prada.
· A RED DRESS (8 Minutes) takes us inside Valentino’s Rome haute couture workshop where the seamstresses work on the red dress that is featured in the movie. Antonietta De Angelis reveals some of her secrets about dressmaking and working for Valentino.
VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR provides a first-time glimpse into Valentino’s world of bygone glamour. Filmed from June 2005 to July 2007, the crew shot over 250 hours of footage with exclusive, unprecedented access to Valentino and his entourage. The resulting non-fiction film is a portrait of an extraordinary partnership, the longest running in fashion, and a dramatic story about a master confronting the final act of his celebrated career. The film also includes celebrity appearances from Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeanne Beker, Anna Wintour, Claudia Schiffer, Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley and Karl Lagerfeld.