THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE: DIRECTOR TALKS FINAL CUT | Clothes on Film

Posted by Chris Laverty on September 24, 2009

Natalie Portman’s behind the scenes movie site MakingOf are running an exclusive interview with The September Issue director R.J. Cutler. He discusses the challenges he experienced making the piece and his thoughts on its main star, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

The September Issue is a documentary following all the work that goes into producing an issue of monthly fashion bible Vogue. The film focuses specifically on the September ‘07 edition, which was the single biggest issue (840 pages) of a magazine, any magazine, ever produced.

Chiefly though The September Issue is about renowned (infamous or famous, depending on your point of view) Vogue head honcho Anna Wintour. Given that she was the inspiration for Meryl Streep’s bitchy boss in The Devil Wears Prada it is surprising to learn that while Wintour runs her magazine like a well oiled machine and always gets her way, shouting and hissy fits belong squarely in the movies.

Cutler took the softly softly approach in getting The September Issue off the ground and was happy for Wintour to come back to him when she was ready to commit. As Cutler states in this clip however, final cut had to rest solely with him. The result is a fascinating and candid film, enlightening for anyone who thinks the fashion business is for wussies.

The September Issue was released in the US on 28th August and UK on 11th September.