The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld is a mischievous film that pulls off the careful trick of being respectful to its subject, while raising an eyebrow at some of his eccentricities. When he died in 2019, at 85, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld was eulogised as the last of the old guard, and for many, his passing marked the end of an era. This feature-length documentary, directed by Inside Dior’s Michael Waldman, aims to demystify the man behind those famous sunglasses. It does so with the help of his inner circle, many of whom speak publicly about their boss, friend, family member and colleague for the first time here on camera.
At first, it is framed as a podcast-ish mystery. Lagerfeld died a wealthy man, and rumours continue to swirl about his will, and who, or what, benefits from it. Where are his millions? Who did he name as his heirs? Could it really be true that he left most of his fortune to his cat, Choupette?
