Brunello Cucinelli Reveals Documentary on His Journey from Rags to Riches at Star-Studded Rome Premiere

Rome shone brightly on Thursday night as Brunello Cucinellis life story was celebrated with the premiere of the documentary Brunello: The Gracious Visionary. The event, attended by numerous celebrities, highlighted the glamour associated with the Italian fashion mogul. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore, the two-hour film explores the life, values, and career of the renowned King of Cashmere, who grew up in a rural Italian village before launching his luxury brand in 1978.

The documentary, known in Italian as Brunello: Il Visionario Garbato, presents key moments of Cucinellis past through three actors recreating scenes from his life, complemented by a score from two-time Oscar winner Nicola Piovani. Hollywood stars including Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Jessica Chastain, Chris Pine, Edgar Ramirez, Ava DuVernay, and Kyle MacLachlan, all dressed in Cucinelli designs, attended the premiere. Cucinelli appeared with his wife Federica Benda, their family, and the actors portraying his younger self: Francesco Cannevale, Saul Nanni, and Francesco Ferroni.

The premiere took place at Romes Cinecitt, the citys largest film studio, which has hosted legendary filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Federico Fellini, and Sergio Leone. The night also marked the opening of Teatro 22, one of Europes largest film studios. The venue was decorated in warm beige tones, adorned with statues, and illuminated by candlelight. Around 1,000 guests, including former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, enjoyed dinner before watching the documentary. Quotes from philosophers such as Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius were projected throughout the space, reflecting Cucinellis lifelong fascination with philosophy.

At a press conference the following day at Teatro Nazionale, Cucinelli, Tornatore, Piovani, and actor Saul Nanni discussed the three-year journey of creating the film. Tornatore admitted he knew little about Cucinelli before being approached, initially skeptical about making a documentary about someone still living. I thought films about living subjects tend to be too lenient, but he insisted on authenticity, Tornatore explained. Cucinelli added that he reviewed the final cut and approved it entirely, only suggesting minor edits.

The documentary poster shows Cucinelli surrounded by thousands of books from his personal collection of 60,000 novels, reflecting his passion for literature, poetry, and philosophy. The film also explores his early love for strategic card games at a local bar, a motif that recurs throughout the story and influenced his approach to business. Actors portraying him were required to demonstrate skill in card playing, emphasizing its importance in his upbringing.

A major theme of the film is Cucinellis philosophy of benevolent capitalism. Known for fostering a positive work culture and contributing to community development, he has invested in his hometown of Solomeo, creating public spaces and preserving local properties. He explained that in his company, respect is paramount, and no one is exempt from accountability, reflecting lessons learned from his fathers experiences.

Cucinelli also shared his thoughts on Hollywood, emphasizing the importance of the human experience and the soul over fame or production roles. Despite this, his brand has become a favorite among celebrities, with clients including Angelina Jolie, Kevin Costner, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Seth Rogen, and Jon Hamm.

Brunello: The Gracious Visionary is set to debut in Italian cinemas on December 9, with a U.S. release planned for March.

Author: Connor Blake