Vanessa McMahon

'The Last Impresario' (2013) by Grace Otto, about producer Michael White- "A feature documentary about the man who changed British culture, one show at a time."

Everyone loves to hear about the who's who in the glamorous world of cinema, but few ever hear about the producers who work diligently, usually for years, behind the scenes to make the films; a bizarre fact as no movies would ever be made without the producer. If film is a child, then the producer would be its parent/s, and producer Michael White was the parent/creator of over 200 theater shows and films during his career, many of which shaped the culture and trends of both mediums as we know it.

Director Grace Otto's abundant and eclectic documentary about UK producer Michael White takes us back to his heyday in London during the 1970's where he began his illustrious career. Some of the titles he produced included: 'Oh! Calcutta!', 'The Rocky Horror Show' and 'Monty Python’s The Holy Grail', to name a few. While White was very well known and adored by entertainment industry professionals from Hollywood to London, his name remains virtually unknown to the public. Otto's homage to Michael White, known by his friends as 'Chalky', takes us inside the life of a man who held a reputation as a reveler and playboy as well as a sincere human being who many regarded as one of the most forthright and honest personalities in the industry. Those who never knew Michael White get to know him through Otto's intimate gaze as he flashes back on his past talking to us in depth about all his successes and failures, achievements and regrets. Weaved throughout the film are are quotes by White himself: -"I have a perilous tendency towards optimism. I always knew the sun would shine, if not today, then next week." -"I don't have regrets; why waste time regretting things you haven't got?" -“Stability - you'll get that when you're dead. You'll have lot of stability then. I think while you're alive you have to live" – Michael White.

The film also features a bouquet of interviews of stars including Anna Wintour, Kate Moss, John Cleese, Yoko Ono, Naomi Watts, John Waters and Barry Humphries and more.

Director Gracie Otto Producer Nicole O'Donohue

View trailer here:

Article written by Vanessa McMahon