If you are interested also in Fashion, Graphic Design, Typography, Origami, Films and influential people in the design field, check out Design Documentary I: DESIGN & GRAPHICs, Design Documentary V: DESIGN & GRAPHICs and Design Documentary II: FASHION.

Frank Lloyd Wright [1998]

Documentary focusing on the most influential architect of his generation is illustrating and discussing turbulent life full of innovative building designs. A fascinating story of ambition, lies, adultry, arogance, a brutal family tragedy, free spirit, beautifully angled shots of Wright’s best structures and Beethoven music, since Wright thought musical composition had affinities with architecture. Fascinating man = fascinating documentary.
I haven`t found any trailer, but below is an interview with the director, which includes parts of the documentary.

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Sketches of Frank Gehry [2005]

A man that is never satisfied by his own work. Ghery is engaged in dialogue with Sydney Pollack about his ever-evolving philosophies on art, personal life, approach to work, recalling early influences & experiences, creative process of his work mapped by sketches & models. But his creative productions remains mystery (how the ideas are turned into real buildings and laws of physics, budget restraints, zoning codes, etc. are applied). However, it still gives an idea of Ghery`s evolution as an innovator and story of sculptor’s sensibility.

My Architect : Son`s Journey [2003]

Intriguing documentary unravels the complicated private life, searching for truth and examining career of a revolutionary architect Louis I. Kahn through an investigation of his son Nathaniel. Brief interviews with leading architects, family members and visits of the buildings will tell a story of a man, who as professional created intensely powerful and spiritual architecture and whose personal life was filled with secrets and chaos. Nathaniel on “My Architect”.

Rem Koolhaas: A Kind of Architect [2008]

Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas has created many outstanding works around the globe, but his work extends beyond, as he is also a writer, filmmaker, and social commentator. An engaging portrait of a visionary man, which shows the heart of his ideas, theories about architecture, urban society and urban landscape, why is language so important and how he approaches creative process.

Oscar Niemeyer : A Vida É Um Sopro | Life is a Breath [2007]

A man both hailed and criticized as a “sculptor of monuments.” Pritzker Prize-winning architect Oscar Niemeyer reflects on his long life (in 2007, he turned 100 and still working). In a relaxed atmosphere, the architect tells the stories of his main projects, talks about politics, friends, women, and speaks out vehemently for invention and creativity. He is still very active and at the age of 98, he married his 60 year old secretary.

Kochuu: Japanese Architecture / Influence & Origin [2003]

KOCHUU [translates as "in the jar"] is visually stunning film, which illustrates key components of traditional Japanese architecture through images of gardens and details of traditional and contemporary buildings. Shows how the past, present, and future architecture is affected by ‘invisible’ traditions and shows juxtapositions of ideas. Includes interviews with some of Japan’s leading architects as well as Scandinavian contemporaries [Tadao Ando, Sverre Fehn, Toyo Ito, etc.].

I.M. Pei : First Person Singular/The Museum on the Mountain [1998]

Set of two documentaries both produced and directed by Peter Rosen, filmed in America, Europe and the Far East. This documentary gives a fascinating insight into the creative design process and construction of Pei. Part 1, “First Person Singular” focus on his childhood, education, experience and philosophy. Part 2 “The Museum on the Mountain” discuss the conception, design, and building of Japan’s majestic Miho Museum. Bonus feature project portfolio (up to 1998), what makes this documentary a must for any student of architecture, but anyone would appreciate!

How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr Foster? [2010]

Premiered in Berlin in February 2010. Written and narrated by Deyan Sudjic. Filmmakers Norberto López-Amado and Carlos Carcas trace the career of British architect Norman Foster from his origins to the top of his profession, visiting some of his most iconic structures, and exploring how has he been influenced by the art world and incorporates art into his designs. Tells the story through images in cinematic style, aiming of speaking to everybody.

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Check also Design Documentary I: DESIGN & GRAPHICs, Design Documentary V: DESIGN & GRAPHIC, Design Documentary IV: ARCHITECTURE and Design Documentary III: PHOTOGRAPHY.

Lagerfeld Confidential [2007]

Enigmatic Karl Lagerfeld. Flamboyant star. Have anyone seen him without his iconic dark sunglasses, white ponytail and high starched collars. No? Probably because Karl doesn’t “want to be a reality in people’s life, he wants to be like an apparition!” Fascinating fashion gangster allows us to see only what HE wants: created eccentric world, good sense of humor, no slowing down in his seventies, fabulous parties, designing the next Chanel collection, presenting this in the glare of the catwalk, celebrity visits, his work as a photographer and painter, visiting private places, glimpses of personal history, but without any nostalgia: “If it was really better in the old days, you might as well kill yourself right now.” In his own words both the man and the industry are “ephemeral, dangerous, and unfair.” So is this documentary.

Valentino: The Last Emperor [2008]

Vanity Fair magazine correspondent Matt Tyrnauer, produced and directed a portrait of an extraordinary partnership between Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti. This is a story of friendship, look at true haute couture fashion, retrospective of Valentino’s 45-year career, follow him in a creation from sketch to runway, tells the story of his extraordinary life, and explores the larger themes affecting the fashion business today. As you observe him in his workshop supervising helpers who hand-stitch every sequin on every dress (there’s not a sewing machine in sight), you begin to appreciate his single-minded perfectionism in the service of a fantasy. And then you realize: “In Italy, there’s the Pope, and then there’s Valentino.”

The September Issue [2009]

September is the January in Fashion and the year’s annual Fall Fashion issue is published. Vogue`s magazine legendary editor-in-chief Anna “Nuclear” Wintour allowed R.J.Cutler to capture complicated process of how the biggest edition was being prepared in 2007. 88-minute film will take you inside the world of the most powerful and polarizing figure in fashion, visits the annual Fashion Week shows, accepts or dismisses the latest creations of the biggest names, works with the models, photographers, and writers and labors with her staff to determine what the world’s fashionistas will be wearing for the next 12 months.

Unzipped [1995]

One of the older documentaries, but still has its power. Directed by Douglas Keeve shows behind the scene of internationally renowned fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi and chronicles the evolution of his 1994 collection from early moments of inspiration until the show on the runaway in New York’s Bryant Park. Supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Kate Moss appear, as well as many others. You can also check online his talk from 2008 about fashion and creativity here ISAAC MIZRAHI ON FASHION & CREATIVITY.

Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton [2007]

Filmmaker Loïc Prigent focus on Marc Jacobs, called the most influential designer of his generation. Behind the scenes of the fashion world with unrehearsed glimpses portraiting Jacobs caught up in the throes of creative invention. From Paris to New York he promotes his own label, but at the same time is running fashion conglomerate Louis Vuitton. Interviewees include: Catherine Deneuve, Uma Thurman, Naomi Campbell, Sophia Coppola and many others.

Yves Saint Laurent in 2 films [2002]

Two related documentaries directed by David Teboul : 1. Yves Saint Laurent: His Life and Times and 2. Yves Saint Laurent 5 avenue Marceau 75116 Paris (2002) will show a complex man who was a genius and a revolutionary. Maybe it will appear a little slow going, but this man will leave a lasting impression.
His Life and Times is a 77 minutes biography and personal history, with some great interviews with him, at various ages, his longtime companion, Pierre Bergé, his “muse,” Loulou de la Falaise, and others.
5 avenue Marceau 75116 Paris is 85 minutes coverage of YSL and his staff preparing over a period of several months what turned out to be his last annual collection, dress by dress, in a film which exclusively focuses on design process. If you’re into French couturier design, it`s for you.

The Day Before [Le Jour d'Avant] Season 1 & 2 [2010]

Are you curious, how fashion designers deal with excitement, anxiety and stress 36 hours before the fashion show begins? Than “The Day Before” is for you! It captures the preparations, the tension, rituals, workshops, and fittings, finalizing the looks, sewing the final pieces and the final sprint from atelier to the runway venue. Each house has its own unique energy, mood, character and rhythm – and its colorful moments of panic, last minute inspiration and ego-unleashing. Shot by Loïc Prigent, have already two seasons. Season 1 consists of a four-part look at the Fall / Winter 2009 – 2010 shows by four prestigious houses: Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld in Milan in March, Proenza Schouler in New York in February, Jean-Paul Gaultier’s haute couture show in Paris in July and Sonia Rykiel’s 40th anniversary celebration in Paris in October and have been released in a DVD box set. Season 2 premiered recently between Sep. 8 – 13, 2010 on the Sundance Channel, so we have to wait sometime for the DVDs. This time are followed six designers: Diane von Furstenberg, Donatella Versace, Alexander Wang, Narciso Rodriguez, Nina Ricci`s Peter Copping, and Jeremy Scott.

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