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16 Jul 26
Director Release Date |
Starring Brunello Cucinelli, Saul Nanni, Francesco Cannevale, Francesco Ferroni, Emma Fatone |
Certificate Running Time |
The man himself, now aged 72, guides us through his remarkable story, from his humble origins in rural Perugia as the son of farmers, to founding his self-named brand in 1978, to earning his moniker as the "king of cashmere". Tracing the arc of this incredible journey, candid interviews,archival footage and carefully crafted cinematic reconstructions combine to create a luxurious tapestry of the life of an entrepreneur who forged an international empire from selling luxury clothing.
Tornatore frames Cucinelli's story with a symbolic card game in which he comes head-to-head with his own history. From there, we plunge back into his past. Broken into various chapters titled after the affectionate nicknames given to him by family and friends, from "little fox" to "young lord", the film interweaves Cucinelli's astute observations on life and philosophy – for the doc, Cucinelli was filmed over the course of an incredible 60 hours. Stitched into this vast fabric are cameos from his devotees, including Oprah Winfrey and Patrick Dempsey.
When the film screened at a special gala event in New York earlier this year, Cucinelli's countless celebrity fans assembled, from Oscar Isaac to Naomi Watts, Martha Stewart to Shonda Rhimes. Tornatore has fashioned not only a testament to this true leviathan of haute couture, but to core Italian values. Brunello: The Gracious Visionary is an ode to family, intellect, the creative spirit, human dignity and giving back to one's community.
With its honey-hued visual splendour, beautifully crafted nostalgic feel and undeniable flair for old-school storytelling, this docu-fiction blend bears Tornatore's unmistakable stamp. To complete his stunning portrait, the director enlisted Nicola Piovani, the Oscar-winning composer behind Life Is Beautiful, whose score elevates Cucinelli's story to transcendent new levels. Unmissable for fashion and cinema aficionados alike, Brunello: The Gracious Visionary is a fittingcmonument to a sublime legacy. Miriam Balanescu
Miriam Balanescu
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