MUBI, the global film distributor, streaming service, and production company, proudly announces the release of the new trailer and artwork for “High & Low – John Galliano,” a documentary by Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald. This thought-provoking film is set to premiere in cinemas on March 8, 2024. Macdonald, known for his work on “Whitney” and “Marley,” delves into the complex life and career of John Galliano, one of the most influential and celebrated fashion designers of our time. Galliano, renowned for dressing the world’s most beautiful and influential figures during his tenure at Givenchy and Dior, revolutionized the fashion industry by transforming runway shows into immersive fantasies, making high fashion a global, multi-billion-dollar industry.
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The documentary explores Galliano’s sudden and dramatic fall from grace in 2011, following the release of a video showing him uttering shocking antisemitic and racist insults. Through a nuanced investigation, Macdonald examines the various aspects of Galliano’s personality, the immense pressures of the fashion industry, and his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction that culminated in his public downfall and efforts toward recovery.
Featuring candid interviews with Galliano’s friends, family, and a constellation of celebrities from the fashion and pop world—including Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Penelope Cruz, Charlize Theron, Anna Wintour, and Edward Enninful—the film presents a multifaceted portrait of Galliano’s quest for redemption. Macdonald’s intention with the documentary is to probe the complex themes of transgression, forgiveness, and redemption in contemporary society, sparking deep reflection and discussion among audiences.
The genesis of the film traces back to the initial conversations between Galliano and Macdonald during the lockdown in the summer of 2020, evolving from Zoom discussions to in-person meetings and culminating in a series of deeply personal interviews. These conversations revealed Galliano’s own confusion and search for understanding regarding his actions, offering a raw and unfiltered glimpse into his psyche. Despite Galliano’s cooperation, Macdonald emphasizes that the film maintains editorial independence, with Galliano providing access but not control over the content.
Production, supported by TF1 Studio /Newen Connect, spanned from January 2022 to March 2023, with filming locations in London, Paris, and New York. The documentary captures Galliano in various settings, from his country home near Beauvais to the Maison Margiela headquarters as he prepared for a major haute couture collection. A particular focus is on the “Cinema Inferno” fashion show, which mirrored themes from Galliano’s life, such as death, abuses of power, and redemption, providing a unique insight into his creative process and personal journey.
In addition to the fashion luminaries, Macdonald secured interviews with figures close to Galliano’s professional saga, including Sidney Toledano, the Jewish CEO of Christian Dior Couture and Galliano’s former boss, and Philippe Virgitti, a victim of Galliano’s abuse. These interviews lend the documentary a profound emotional depth, exploring the lasting impact of Galliano’s actions on individuals and the industry at large.
“High & Low – John Galliano” is a deep dive into the life of a man who played a crucial role in the industry’s transformation. Produced by Chloe Mamelok and Kevin Macdonald through Macdonald’s KGB Films and in association with Condé Nast Entertainment, the documentary is offers audiences an unprecedented look at Galliano’s rise, fall, and the difficult path towards understanding and redemption.
