IRIS pairs legendary 87-year-old documentarian Albert Maysles with Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style icon.

IRIS pairs legendary 87-year-old documentarian Albert Maysles with Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style maven who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. More than a fashion film, the documentary is a story about creativity and how, even in Iris' dotage, a soaring free spirit continues to inspire. IRIS portrays a singular woman whose enthusiasm for fashion, art and people are life's sustenance and reminds us that dressing, and indeed life, is nothing but an experiment. Despite the abundance of glamour in her current life, she continues to embrace the values and work ethic established during a middle-class Queens upbringing during the Great Depression. "I feel lucky to be working. If you're lucky enough to do something you love, everything else follows."

FILMMAKER

Albert Maysles

Born in 1926, Albert Maysles is a pioneer of Direct Cinema and was, along with his late brother David, the first to make nonfiction feature films, where the drama of life unfolds as is without scripts, sets, interviews or narration. Albert made his first film, PSYCHIATRY IN RUSSIA (1955), as he transitioned from psychologist to filmmaker. Among his more than 40 films are some of the most iconic works in documentary history, including SALESMAN, GIMME SHELTER and GREY GARDENS. More recently, Albert directed the award-winning film MUHAMMAD AND LARRY (2009) for ESPN's 30 for 30, GET YER YA-YA’S OUT! (2009), and reunited with Paul McCartney for THE LOVE WE MAKE (2011). Albert has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, two Peabody Awards, three Emmy Awards, six Lifetime Achievement Awards, the Columbia DuPont Award, and the award for best cinematography at Sundance for LALEE’S KIN: THE LEGACY OF COTTON (2001), which was also nominated for an Academy Award. Eastman Kodak has saluted him as one of the world's 100 finest cinematographers. This year Albert received the National Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama.

REVIEWS

IF YOU LIKE IRIS

Advanced Style

Dior and I

Bill Cunningham: New York