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On this page: BRUNELLO: THE GRACIOUS VISIONARY | TOMORROW'S TOO LATE

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 22.Jul.26

Brunello: The Gracious Visionary Brunello: Il Visionario Garbato
Review by Rich Cline | 2.5/5

dir-scr Giuseppe Tornatore
prd Brunello Cucinelli, Massimiliano di Lodovico
with Brunello Cucinelli, Federica Benda Cucinelli, Camilla Cucinelli, Carolina Cucinelli
Oprah Winfrey, Mario Draghi, Reid Hoffman, Tao Liu, Nick Sullivan Saul Nanni, Francesco Ferroni, Francesco Cannevale, Emma Fatone
release UK 24.Jul.26
25/Italy Rai 2h00

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While this film self-identifies as a documentary about Italian designer Brunello Cucinelli, there's little real life left on-screen between the scripted testimonials and dramatised re-enactments. At least maestro Guiseppe Tornatore is at the helm to make sure it looks drop-dead gorgeous, with period sequences produced to a very high standard, full of child-eyed wonder. But both the terrific story and important point get lost in the warm glow.

Born into a farming family in a rural community, Brunello has a deprived but idyllic childhood (played by Cannevale, then Ferroni) and delightfully slacker-like late-teen years (Nanni) as he moves to the city, playing cards and racing around on his motorbike. After meeting his future wife Federica (Fatone) in the mid-1970s, he discovers a talent for fashion, making brightly coloured, pricey cashmere sweaters that catch on around the world. As his company grows, he invests profits back into the community and is determined to be fair to his workers, a system he calls humanistic capitalism.

This story is told in an expertly edited mix of dramatised scenes and interviews, as Brunello walks through scenes past and present, making poetic observations on his own life and philosophy. An elusive running card-playing motif attempts rather a lot of thematic heavy lifting, while the talking-head testimonials feel fully scripted, adding narrative elements rather than personal insight. Everything is focussed around Brunello's marvellous generosity, or indeed his visionary graciousness. Yes, the title is a big hint about the film's hagiographic approach to its subject.

The film's too-pretty artificiality is rather frustrating, because Brunello's life would make a terrific subject for either a proper documentary or an independently made biopic. This is produced by the man himself, so it is neither. It's packed with wistful sequences that play up his beautiful tactile memories, such as when he equates brushing Kashmir goats in the Gobi desert with combing Angora rabbits at home as a child. Neither feels particularly believable, so we are forced to search for grains of truth where we can find them. The friendly banter he has with his employees in their gloriously sun-drenched factory may be true, but it's filmed like a fantasy.

themes, language 16.Jul.26

Tomorrow’s Too Late
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

Tomorrow's Too Late
dir Terry Loane
prd Mark Huffam, Hannah Shipley
with Dylan Holloway, Megan Impey, Natasha Guiotto, Debbie Rundle, Daniel Rundle, Chloe Beth Smith, Valerio La Piena, Henry James Green, Alicia Davies, Clare Hunter
release UK 24.Jul.26
25/UK 1h06

Now streaming...

Shot over four years, this documentary follows musical artist Dylan Holloway through a gender transition that has of course altered his career. The film is shot and edited with unusual honesty, using intimate footage that cuts to the emotional core as realistic highs and lows lead to a perhaps overly happy conclusion. But the film beautifully captures Dylan's open-handed emotionality, sharp humour and inventive approach to his talent.

After moving to London at 17, singer-songwriter Lots Holloway hit the spotlight appearing on The X Factor and found a new audience performing original songs. Then when gigs vanish during lockdown, Lots finally has gender reassignment surgery, and rebrands himself as Dylan and the Moon. But starting testosterone treatment means that his voice is deepening, and he can no longer sing his own songs. Even so, he feels like this is his true voice, and he begins to record music that mixes his changing tones together. So now Dylan is performing gorgeous duets with Lots.

There's a terrific range of footage here that's shot by Dylan himself, chronicling each element in his transition, including the incremental shifts in his voice. Through this process, he is writing and recording beautiful songs that he knows he won't be able to sing in the future. All of this is skilfully punctuated with home movies and snapshots from Dylan's childhood, plus interviews with friends and family who have provided consistent support. As have his fans.

Dylan openly discusses his contradictory feelings as he knows he must prioritise his gender over his voice, choosing between the two things that defined his identity. The way he embraces what he calls "pre-existing versions of me" is remarkable, so the way he mixes his current and past voices together is hugely moving. Dylan loves that Lots is responsible for the person he is how. He also remembers himself as a child imagining performing shirtless in front of a crowd with his arms in the air. So his life today feels like a dream.

themes, language 20.Jul.26

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL