The red carpet issue (Sundance channel) ****

Sundance Channel is airing The Red Carpet Issue, a documentary about the Academy Awards, the Globes, any event which involves stars, brands and publicity by French journalist and filmmaker Olivier Nicklaus and it is a must see. For over 20 years and since actors have accepted to be hangers for clothes and living displays for fashion and jewelry, the red carpet has become synonymous with money : pre-show, post-show, best dressed, worst dressed, any movie star walking the red carpet is wearing someone and is required to give the name of the designer who has provided the goods for the big night. This documentary is fascinating from the beginning to its bitter end. We'll learn that "actors have lots of expenses. Everybody says that Sharon Stone earns a lot of money and that she is always asking for more, but it's normal: she has a dozen bodyguards with her, two or three nannies for the kids, an agent, an assistant... it costs money!"
We'll meet Romain Cayla, co-founder of IDSIDE who proudly presents a 3 click software working with video clips of movie stars on display : 1 click and a label appears identifying the dress as Gucci (a pop up window gives you details on the goods), 2nd click and the necklace is Chopard, 3rd click and Choo Choo for the shoes !
We'll also learn that the red carpet is a job :
1- appear at ease
2- make sure others are not wearing the dame dress
3- remember to stop every two yards and say the same thing over again
4- ease up on the gum and keep that smile even on hostile territory
5- Know how to work the photographers
6- Don't be blinded by the flashes like a deer in the headlights
7- Show that jewelry off (hair up or short)
8- Lift your gown to show the shoes
9- Learn how to strike a pose
10- Know how to make an exit
Believe or not, there are professionals whose job is to train, help, guide and coach the red carpeters. It has become such an industry, a war of nerves and a stressful combat that some of the most renowned and famous designers have decided to give the carpet a bad name. Take Karl Lagerfeld: "ridiculous", "cheap", "look like transvestites", "bad taste" is the verdict of the famous Chanel designer who -he says- could't care less about placing his gowns for Cannes, Oscars and other now cheap events.
Same for Marc Jacobs and many others who are now thrashing out the red carpet and even dare to say that "even Mc Donald's has red carpet events". So ladies, don't cry, walk proudly on the sidewalk and forget about the cheap carpet those poor stars have to walk on !