Film review: Iris

Iris
Director: Albert Maysles
Starring: Iris Apfel, Carl Apfel
Showing: In Palace Cinemas from August 20
Rating: ★★★★
An inside glimpse into the fast-paced life of a rare bird in fashion   

By KERRYN HILDEBRAND

In one of his final contributions to the film industry before his death, director Albert Maysles created Iris – a charming and intricate look into the life of New York fashion icon Iris Apfel.

Maysles follows Iris Apfel – the 93-year-old self-titled “geriatric starlet” – in fly-on-the-wall style. Filmed on-and-off for about four years, the documentary captures Apfel on her many outings in and around New York City.

Maysles uses a direct cinema technique to capture Apfel’s quick wit and her curiosity for the world; the lack of narrative shaping allows her character to unfold truthfully as the film progresses. Although the cinematography is a little shaky at times, it makes for engrossing and authentic interactions between the various characters.

During the film we see Apfel haggle for bargains in markets and discount stores (her knack for practicality and affordability is widely known) and spend time with her beloved husband and ex-business partner Carl Apfel, who turned 100 while filming. We watch as she rubs shoulders with fashion’s elite and, of course, we are given a private tour of her infamous personal “collection” of  accessories and clothing.

Some of her more outlandish pieces include a necklace made entirely from bear claws, an evening coat made from green and red rooster feathers, and bangles carved out of plastic toy animal eyes. Each of the pieces she owns has a meaning and story to tell.

She is forever on the lookout for items that reflect a “sense of history”. For Apfel it’s the thrill of the hunt, not the end project, which is important.

Some of the best snippets from the film include Apfel’s reflections on her own life, and how the world she knew is rapidly changing. She explains her impatience with the state of society, referring to people as “media freaks” who are too preoccupied with technology to find the glamour and fantasy that comes with individuality and freedom.

Another key point is raised by her nephew, who discusses Apfel’s desire to keep productive in the fear of spiralling into a pit of depression. It is a theme many of us can relate to: the need to keep ourselves occupied rather than facing the thought of our own mortality.

Apfel was a perfect candidate for this style of documentary filmmaking. Utterly obsessed with having fun, she is a natural performer and is fondly portrayed as a liberating force – a fresh vision in a field of grey.

Iris showed as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival, which ends on Sunday.