Review of Christian Audigier: The VIF (2018) by Storm R — 26 Jun 2018

I got roped into seeing this film with a friend who insisted and as it would turn out, I'm very happy she insisted! I knew nothing about the subject of the film (the designer, fashion and the industry, pop culture, etc), but walked away stunned by the story and the world it takes place in.

The makers used every element possible to tell a holistic story about a rather eccentric individual and did so in a way that exposed not just the glamourous highlights of his life (which seemingly could have been the primary subject of a film twice the length), but also the perils and struggles of balancing life inside the chaotic industry of fashion and celebrity culture.

In a way, the film humanized a world that often times seems to exist wholly on another planet. I expected to see a film about a man struggling with MDS, and I certainly got that experience, but the byproducts of the storytelling in this film gave full exposure to the environment it took place in and framed the central elements in such a way that they were relatable and tangible.

The story of Christian Audidier's life and death is facilitating and tragic by itself, but add in the breathtaking cinematography and it becomes a challenge to walk away from. From the very opening scenes at the beach where the makers seemingly have omniscient control of every individual sunray reflecting off the sea and the sand, to the reenactments of Christian's time in a Bali prison, each and every scene is impeccably thought out and controlled.

You could watch this film on mute and still be happy you went. Highly recommended.