Sartorial: Fashion on Film

The program strand features seven films spanning decades of cinema, bringing together a striking body of work in which some of the world’s most distinctive filmmakers turn fashion into a lens on identity, culture and power.

From the ateliers of Paris to the factory floors of China, these films trace how clothing reflects and shapes the societies that produce it, moving between documentary and fiction, and between candid portraits and global perspectives.

A centrepiece will be the Australian premiere of Marc by Sofia, Sofia Coppola’s first documentary, offering a personal picture of longtime friend, designer Marc Jacobs, and his creative world. Also featured is the world premiere of Australian film French Girls, directed by Hyun Lee, following a young woman drawn into Sydney’s modelling industry after being scouted, as she begins to navigate its shifting expectations and pressures.

“The relationship between fashion and film extends far beyond the traditional fashion documentaries we know and love. In this special series, we wanted to highlight instances where some of cinema’s most distinctive directors have brought their singular perspective to the fashion world.” - Sydney Film Festival Senior Programmer, Jessica Moraza

Acclaimed filmmakers have long turned their attention to the fashion industry from multiple perspectives. From the recently deceased master, Frederick Wiseman’s Modeloffers a landmark depiction of a New York modelling agency, observing castings, shoots and the relentless demands of image-making, while Jia Zhangke’s Useless traces the human cost of industrial production across China’s garment industry, from factory floors to haute couture runways.

Chronicles of influential figures in fashion and culture also feature. Agnès Varda’s Jane B. par Agnès V.offers a playful and unconventional portrait of Jane Birkin, while Wim Wenders’ Notebook on Cities and Clothes follows designer Yohji Yamamoto, reflecting on creativity, authorship and the parallels between filmmaking and fashion.

Fictional takes on the fashion world bring satire and spectacle. Robert Altman’s Prêt-à-Porter, filmed during Paris Fashion Week, presents a sprawling ensemble comedy set amid the industry’s backstage dramas and personalities.