Karl Lagerfeld is a cherished enigma of the fashion world. In Rodolphe Marconi’s documentary, the German-born design phenom shares private details about himself and his career. Seeing the glamorous parties and the behind-the-scenes chaos of a fashion show through Lagerfeld’s eyes is a thrill, but the quiet moments Marconi spends with him are fascinating. Lagerfeld lives like a true pack rat, surrounded by stacks of books, newspapers, magazines, and iPods; he sketches elaborate dresses for the Chanel 2006 line with easy bravura; and he pokes fun at Marconi for not asking more direct questions about his sexual orientation. Throughout, he speaks almost entirely in contradictions, with an impassive smile decorating his face. The industry he describes as “ephemeral, dangerous, and unfair” couldn’t have a more appropriate figure at its helm. English + French | 89 minutes | MFA: January 2-4, 6, 12, 13, 17
