ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Valentino: The Last Emperor Returns to Streaming Platforms on September 29

publication · 2026-09-14

On September 29, Matt Tyrnauer's 2008 film Valentino: The Last Emperor will be available for streaming again on Apple, Amazon, and Fandango. This self-distributed re-release reflects its original theatrical debut. The documentary focuses on designer Valentino Garavani and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti, showcasing Valentino's retirement and his 45th anniversary show. Following Garavani's passing in January, interest in the previously unavailable film increased, leading to a petition for its return. Filmed over two years with a cinema verité approach, the documentary premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2008, setting box office records. Although Giammetti initially had reservations, he later recognized its authenticity, describing it as a 96-minute testament to their legacy.

Key facts

  • Valentino: The Last Emperor returns to streaming on Apple, Amazon, and Fandango on September 29.
  • The 2008 documentary was directed by Matt Tyrnauer.
  • Valentino Garavani died in January, prompting renewed interest in the film.
  • The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2008.
  • A second premiere was held at La Fenice, Venice's opera house, marking its first film presentation.
  • The documentary broke theatrical box office records and had the highest per-screen average in the U.S. for its premiere weekend.
  • A distribution deal with HBO fell through at the Toronto Film Festival, leading to self-distribution.
  • Giancarlo Giammetti initially disliked the film but later appreciated its truthfulness.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Vanity Fair
  • HBO
  • Netflix
  • Apple
  • Amazon
  • Fandango
  • Venice Film Festival
  • La Fenice
  • Toronto Film Festival
  • House of Valentino

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Rome
  • Piazza di Spagna
  • Toronto
  • Canada
  • Dallas
  • United States

Sources