Culture | News
| Paris, 17 March 2024
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Gucci’s new creative director, Sabato de Sarno, has enlisted a team of renowned filmmakers to create a unique and intimate documentary about his first collection for the legendary Italian fashion house.
The film, exclusively presented on MUBI since March 15, 2024, immerses us in the fast-paced world of fashion and creation.
An Unexpected Cinematic Narrative
It all begins with an unexpected call from Gucci.
The invitation is clear: to create a documentary about the brand’s new thought leader, with the only guiding light being the spirit of the film “A Brief History of John Baldessari.”
While the initial concept aims to be concise – between six and eight minutes – reality proves to be much more generous, with the final result stretching to twenty minutes of pure creative testimony.
A Milanese Week Marked by Creation
The directors immersed themselves for five days in the excitement of the preparations for Sarno’s show.
Between setting up complex runway shows and the uninterrupted flow of creativity, the team closely followed the creative process, from the initial sketches to the luxurious finishing touches on the garments.
A Celebrated Artistic Freedom
Faced with a first edit vastly exceeding the planned duration, it was Sabato de Sarno himself who advocated for the longer version, appreciating the authenticity and depth of the work.
This open-mindedness reflects a European philosophy where trust in the artist takes precedence.
Unexpected Discoveries
Anecdotes abound, such as the consideration – and eventual dismissal – of a narrative from the perspective of Luce, Sabato’s faithful canine companion, or the captivating elegance of Mark Ronson during an interview.
Even the inadvertent presence of Ryan Gosling, captured backstage, becomes an iconic moment through a modern interpretation of the famous “Hey Girl” meme.
A Shared Cinematic Style
The documentary contrasts with their previous works through the integration of vérité-style sequences.
The technical choices – a blend of 16mm lenses for authentic grain and 35mm lenses for fixed interviews – reflect a desire to convey the immediacy of events.
A Narrated Collaboration
The choice of narrator, Paul Mescal, speaks to the significance of voice in recounting Sabato’s journey.
The collaboration with Mescal concludes just before his departure for the filming of Gladiator 2, underscoring the urgent nature of the creative process.
The Art of Editing
The months spent in the editing room, with no less than fifty versions of the film, attest to the team’s perfectionist approach.
Every detail, every moment is carefully weighed, contributing to the final work, as precise as a Gucci garment.
A Cinematic Journey
The film does not simply follow the sequence of events; it seeks to tell a story, to capture the essence of a moment.
The image of a young Sabato on his miniature Vespa becomes a metaphor for this journey, as playful as it is significant.
In this documentary, the house of Gucci and Sabato de Sarno are revealed in a new light, demonstrating that at the heart of fashion lies a spirit of innovation and storytelling.
This cinematic narrative offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into the world of haute couture, where the art of fashion and the art of cinema intertwine inexorably.
Image credits: Mubi.com
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[ News Le M&Magazine ]
