The series of short films documents the pilgrimage of five influential men to unexpected places that have shaped their spirit and vision. Intimate, cinematic and exploratory, each film opens a dialogue on a creativity between the protagonist and the location, revealing a personal source of inspiration, says GQ. Hosted by Dylan Jones and Gucci President and CEO, Marco Bizzarri, “The Performers” premiered at a launch event on February 2nd at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery. The first two acts feature Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie and Michelin-star Italian chef Massimo Bottura, both styled in Gucci menswear by Alessandro Michele.
“The Performers” features protagonists from multiple creative disciplines from all over the world. The cast includes a musician, chef, architect, artist and actor. Each talent had the freedom to choose a locale that personally resonated with them, resulting in a global film series that crosses continents. The digital content will be published across the global GQ network and on Gucci’s own platforms.
Dylan Jones, Editor of British GQ and Executive Producer of the video series, comments, “This collaboration presented a wonderful opportunity to showcase ‘The Performers’, culturally relevant talents who inspire us, markers of taste, class and creativity. We’re looking forward to broadcasting this to our style-savvy and considerable global GQ audience.”
Act I opens the film series with Bobby Gillespie, traveling to Tangier, Morocco to retrace the steps of his personal hero, Jean Genet, French writer and poet. Genet scripted his last novel, Prisoner of Love, in Tangier and also chose to be buried in Morocco. Describing how Genet has influenced his own work, Bobby explains: “He went to prison. He was a thief. He used language to write his way out of prison; we dreamed our way out of Glasgow. I can relate.” The film culminates with Bobby looking out towards the sea, offering a poetic observation on Genet’s life. “Genet, he made betrayal a virtue. Never wanted to be controlled by anybody or anything. He had such a strong belief in individual freedom. I think it’s a beautiful thing. You can’t crush the human spirit. Live and Let Live.”
Massimo Bottura features in Act II, leading a colorful dialogue on Italy, jazz and creativity. Traveling across locations in Milan and Modena, Massimo sheds light on his affinity for jazz: “This my life since I was 14. I started collecting jazz. And once you’re into jazz you can’t leave.” The chef, whose Osteria Francescana in Modena was named the number one restaurant in the world in 2016, is passionate about Jazz legend Thelonius Monk. “Monk was very technically trained but he broke all the rules,” notes Bottura. “He ripped up the rulebook.” Like Monk, Bottura is not confined by the norm, injecting his avant-garde approach into traditional Italian cuisine and ingredients.
The next three Acts of “The Performers” will be revealed in April.
