Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge

I really didn't know much about her. This woman has had an unbelievable life, and she is an amazing, complex woman. This is very well done and explores a woman with an unbelievable amount of self-made success. Overcoming odds at every turn in so many ways. Her childhood is quite sad, but she is the daughter of a woman clearly suffering from trauma from her horrific past. DVF is quite open about her life, and it explores how she seems to repeat much of the same pattern with her own children of what she suffered. She appears very much made at peace with and does not dwell in what fundamentally shaped her entire life- the complex relationship with her mother. She clearly has done everything on her own terms, and has adapted her mother's attitude toward everything, which is to be singularly in survival mode. Fascinating life worthy of this doc.

This is very well-made tribute documentary by two Oscar-level filmmakers. It's a celebration of the remarkable life of a pioneer. DVF is an inspiring figure who had the courage to live fully and now celebrates her victories. This film reflects that. But it could be so much more, if the filmmakers had the will and power to deviate from the flattering narrative a little and bring forth the humanity behind the icon. At one point we see Diane interacting with one of the filmmakers behind the cameras and saying "you're the director." This reality-tv-like moment is meant to ease our suspicion that the subject had a say in the outcome of the film, but if anything, it reveals that the filmmakers were very much aware of the adulatory nature of the project and wanted to show that it was not so. Still worth a watch, given the fascinating story. Just keep your critical eye out to see the hidden layer behind the polished veneer.