HOUSE OF Z

Directed by Sandy Chronopoulos

Featuring

Zac Posen, Susan Posen, Alexandra Posen, Stephen Posen, Naomi Campbell, Sean “Diddy” Combs aka Puff Daddy, André Leon Talley, Paz de la Huerta, Claire Danes and others

Press Contact

ID PR New York: 212-334-0333

HouseofZ@id-pr.com

Run Time: 87 Minutes

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HOUSE OF Z

Synopsis

HOUSE OF Z chronicles the meteoric rise of fashion designer Zac Posen at the age of 21 and then his brand's falling out of favor several years later and his challenge to rebuild his company and his reputation. It is both a portrait of an artist as a young man, and a look behind the glamorous curtain of one of the most distinguished brands in the world, revealing the tenuous dance between art and commerce that informs every move.

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HOUSE OF Z

Director's Statement

This is not the film I set out to make. In fact, I didn't set out to make one at all. When I first walked into Zac's studio, with the intention of making a television special, I observed a confident, gregarious and charming man. Zac is camera savvy. He’s a natural showman. But he was also very controlled, guarded and protected; it was hard to get beneath the surface. It took a long time to build trust, but when we did, a beautiful vulnerability started to emerge. It was Zac’s sister, Alexandra, who was the first person to give me a sense that there was a deeper story. As I was leaving our first interview, Alexandra stopped me and said, "Don't forget that Zac's story involves his family. We are part of the journey as well." I had a visceral reaction. Her words stuck with me. And I remember going back to Zac's studio and asking him what she meant by that. The look on his face said it all. There was sadness in his eyes. I knew that it would be incredibly challenging to have Zac tell me his story on camera, not only because that story didn’t fit into his public image, but also because he was protective of his family's raw experience from that time. At the end of what I thought was my final interview with Zac, I asked him about the distancing of his family from the company. As you will see, it was a very uncomfortable moment for Zac. He was conflicted. And it's now one of the most poignant and honest moments in the film. Even his silence is revealing. After that interview, I knew this was a feature film. There was something extremely special there, a story about familial bonds, the creative process, the intersection of art and commerce, and growing up. A story worth fighting to make. And so what was supposed to be the end of filming, actually became the beginning. We filmed for another two years after that. The hardest part about making this documentary was that my heart was fully

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engaged, but as a journalist, I had to detach myself, dig into uncomfortable places and protect the film. By far the most beautiful part of the process is that as a director I got to see a transformation unfold before my eyes. The man I saw at the beginning of filming, is certainly not the one I see now.

- Sandy Chronopoulos March, 2017

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HOUSE OF Z

About the Filmmakers

SANDY CHRONOPOULOS (Director/Producer) is a documentary filmmaker and television producer living in Toronto, Canada. HOUSE OF Z is her feature directorial debut. She is the Supervising Producer of Lifestyle & Entertainment programming at Rogers Media, at the helm of Canada's most successful women's lifestyle show. A journalism graduate, Sandy's love of storytelling, fierce curiosity and tenacity was cultivated producing hard news for nearly a decade. Her 2012 television documentary PROJECT RUNWAY SPOTLIGHT: MARCHESA starring Halle Berry, Eva Longoria and Anna Wintour, produced by The Weinstein Company and Rogers Media, was recognized by the New York Festivals for Best Direction. JANA EDELBAUM (Producer) is a motion picture producer and financier whose experience spans over twenty years in the independent world. In 2006, Jana Edelbaum founded iDeal Partners Film Fund. Prior to forming iDeal, Jana Edelbaum worked in the fixed income and mezzanine finance divisions of Morgan Stanley International as well as mergers and acquisitions for Ansbacher Media before moving into film production with her first feature Among Giants (Fox Searchlight). She also served as the Executive Producer of ROMANCE & CIGARETTES for MGM/Sony, directed by John Turturro and starring Kate Winslet and James Gandolfini, GREAT EXEPECTATIONS directed by Mike Newell and THE INCREDIBLE MRS. RITCHIE, which received an Emmy Award for Best Family Drama in 2004. Her production and finance experience includes work on PUMP (Netflix), THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE (Lionsgate), DIRTY GIRL (Weinstein), INVISIBLE SIGN (IFC) and THE ANSWER MAN (Magnolia). Jana recently completed production on STRANGE WEATHER which premiered at TIFF last fall. Ideal has several feature film projects in development and is also venturing into television, including a limited series set up at Amazon, written by Diana Son, to be directed by George Tillman, Jr. and produced with Susan Lewis and Alicia Keys;

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and a limited series based on a New Yorker article to be directed by Ramin Bahrani. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America since 2009 and on the Board of The Lincoln Center Film Society. RACHEL COHEN (Producer) is an independent film producer based in New York and, since 2007, head of production at iDeal Partners. Most recently, Rachel produced Katherine’ Dieckmann’s STRANGE WEATHER, starring Holly Hunter, which had a gala premiere at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival and will be released later this year. Also to be released this year is the feature documentary film, HOUSE OF Z, which is making its worldwide premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Previous films include: the critically acclaimed THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE, directed by George Tillman, Jr. and DIRTY GIRL , which premiered at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival where it sold to The Weinstein Company. Ideal has several feature film projects in development and is also venturing into television, including a limited series set up at Amazon, written by Diana Son, to be directed by George Tillman, Jr. and produced with Susan Lewis and Alicia Keys; and a limited series based on a New Yorker article to be directed by Ramin Bahrani. Prior to joining iDeal, Rachel was SVP Development at Tribeca Productions, where she worked closely with Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro on a slate of feature films, including THE GOOD SHEPHERD, directed by De Niro. Prior to Tribeca, Rachel was SVP Development and Acquisitions at Artisan Entertainment. Notable projects INCLUDE THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, ROGER DODGER, START-UP.COM, DIRTY DANCING 2: HAVANA NIGHTS (co-production with Miramax), and STAGE BEAUTY.

Rachel began her career at WNET’s Great Performances and moved into feature films in 1996 when she joined Peter Guber’s Mandalay Entertainment and worked as a Story Editor.

LAURA RISTER (Executive Producer) is a Los Angeles based film and television producer and oversees production at Untitled Entertainment. She's been recognized by Variety and Sundance as a notable independent film producer. Among Laura's credits are the films ALL IS LOST, CUT BANK, ELVIS AND NIXON, LAWLESS, LOVELACE, MARGIN CALL, THE ICEMAN and THE WORDS. Recent and upcoming films include IFC Films' THE FREE WORLD (starring Boyd Holbrook, Elisabeth Moss, Octavia Spencer), and Netflix/STRAND RELEASING will release the critically acclaimed LOVESONG,

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directed by So Young Kim. Both films premiered at Sundance 2016. Laura is in post production on THE TALE starring Laura Dern, Netflix’s IO starring Anthony Mackie and Margaret Qualley, and Simon Baker’s directorial debut BREATH – an Australian production. Laura previously served as Head of Casting and VP of Production and Development during Miramax Film’s Weinstein era. Her first love was journalism; she got her start in media working at CNN in Washington, DC working on the political programs. She is a proud member of the Producers Guild and Women in Film, and in this new era, she is very politically active both at home in California and nationally. JASON WEINBERG (Executive Producer) grew up in New York City and attended Stuyvesant High School, Wesleyan University and the London School of Economics. Upon graduating with a double major in psychology and economics, he moved back to New York and began his career in public relations. In 1998, Jason switched from publicity to management, co-founding Untitled Entertainment. Today, Untitled represents a wide variety of actors, writers, directors, and musicians. Untitled served as Executive Producer of the feature films MARGIN CALL and LOVELACE. Jason's television credits include: the award winning Showtime drama “Ray Donovan,” the Golden Globe winning HBO series "Enlightened," the critically acclaimed "The Conversation," for Lifetime, and “Remember That Time,” with Alan Cumming for CBS.

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HOUSE OF Z ZAC POSEN

Fashion designer, television personality, entrepreneur and author, Zac Posen is a staple in all aspects of art, fashion, and entertainment that shape the current conversation. Zac Posen launched his eponymous collection in 2001, with a vision for modern American glamour that married couture technique with striking innovation. Zac is known globally for his technique in artisanal craftsmanship, anatomical construction and textile manipulation. Raised in New York, Zac began his design training early, from his internship at the Metropolitan Costume Institute to Classes at Parsons. He then attended London’s Central Saint Martin’s. His line quickly gained attention from press, consumers and retailers alike as he carved his signature style. Two years following his first collection, he was awarded one of fashion’s most prestigious honors, The Perry Ellis Award for Womenswear by the CFDA. His position as a preeminent American designer was solidified within the first two years of his career. His collections are conceptualized in his New York atelier, combining legendary Hollywood glamour with a downtown sensibility, enhancing women’s natural forms while enabling them to be their most alluring, empowered selves. His daywear, suiting and red carpet eveningwear are infused with his bold sophistication, sensual femininity and distinctive glamour. Worn by leading women, including Uma Thurman, First Lady Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rihanna, his designs are among the most anticipated on any red carpet. His collections have grown to include Zac Posen, ZAC Zac Posen with offerings in handbags, accessories, footwear and eyewear. The collections are found in leading department and specialty stores worldwide including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barney’s New York. In October 2013, Zac entered the bridal space with the launch of Truly Zac Posen in partnership with David’s Bridal, in stores since February 2014. In 2015, Posen was tapped by Brooks Brothers to be the creative director of womenswear to re-vamp the brand. In the same year, Posen received the designer of the year award at the WWD and Variety StyleMakers Awards.

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A true champion of the internet and technology, Zac uses social media on a daily basis to connect with his fans. He has embraced technology in full force this year – with a standout moment at The Met Ball with a fiber optic glowing dress designed for Claire Danes. Since January 2013, Zac has starred as one of the 4 co-hosts and judges of Lifetime’s ever popular Project Runway for five seasons, alongside Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Tim Gunn. In April 2015, Posen was announced as the designer in charge of revamping and updating the image of Delta Airlines and in October 2016 Posen revealed the new uniforms for above and below the wing. A true artist in all ways, Zac is also an incredibly curious foodie. His immensely popular #CookingWithZac hashtag on social media is a way for his fans to embark upon culinary journeys with him. Zac’s first book Cooking with Zac: 75 Recipes From Rustic to Refined will be published by Rodale and available on October 10, 2017.

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HOUSE OF Z Credits

ROGERS MEDIA PRESENTS AN IDEAL PARTNERS PRODUCTION

IN ASSOCIATION WITH CLEAR EYE PRODUCTIONS

A FILM BY

SANDY CHRONOPOULOS

Directed By SANDY CHRONOPOULOS

Produced By

JANA EDELBAUM RACHEL COHEN

SANDY CHRONOPOULOS

Edited By HOLLE SINGER

MADELEINE GAVIN

Cinematography By KONRAD CZYSTOWSKI

NADIA HALLGREN MARK KLASSEN

Music By

ERIC STAMILE

Music Supervisor JESSICA DIERAUER

Executive Producers RONNIE PLANALP

DONNA GRUNEICH KEVIN GRUNEICH

Executive Producer

SUZANNE ROGERS

Executive Producers JORDAN SCHWARTZ

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ROBERT SOUZA COLETTE WATSON

Executive Producers

LAURA RISTER JASON WEINBERG

Co-Producer

SHERIEN BARSOUM

Story by Sandy Chronopoulos

Sherien Barsoum

Associate Producers Carolyn Levine

Hilary Crowe

Associate Editor Chelsea Smith

Additional Editing Rich Williamson

Nick Hector

Assistant Editors Michael Del Monte

Stephanie Green

Haya Waseem

Sound Design by Michael Solomon

Additional Sound Matt Braunsdorf

Richard Cardone

Jose Frias

Jonathan Reyes

Mark Westcott

Additional Cinematography James Adolphus

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Mia Barker

Clint Byrne

Roger Grange

Ilya Shnitser

Tien Ta

Long Trueong

RED Camera Cinematography Vinit Borrison

2nd Assistant Camera Sam Miller

Still Photography by Ian Peters

Sam Miller

Title Design & Graphics by Ryan Mackeen

Archival Research by Rosemary Rotondi

Production Assistants Jason Butler

Jennifer Hargrove

Post Production Services Provided by

Urban Post

Project Manager Ike Murphy

Operations Manager Roberta Bratti

Video operations Manager Bruce Rees

Online Editor Kyle Campbell

Picture Facility Technician Jon Morrison

Colourist Hardave Grewal

SFX Editor Bryson Cassidy and Ryan Birnberg

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Dialogue Editor Joseph Facciuolo

Re-Recording Mixers Rudy Michael

Re-Recording Assistant Ella Melanson

Business Affairs & Legal Services Hamish Berry - Bruns, Brennan & Berry, PLLC

Nicolas Jampol - Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Gabriella Ludlow - CinePointe Advisors

For Rogers Media

Tom Hildebrandt, Senior Production Manager

Trevor Francis - Associate Producer

Susan Karnay, Senior Legal Counsel

Mike Lazazzera, Technical Consultant

Additional research by Cassandra Juradinho

Bradley Whitehouse

Transcribers Cody Dundas

Cindy Nixon

Jared Clarkson

Paolo Maquiraya

Sam Miller

Insurance Chubb Insurance Group

Broker Skylar Wilman

Interviews By

Albertina Rizzo

Alexandra Posen

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André Leon Talley

Biagio Balsamo

Candy Pratts Price

Cayli Cavaco Reck

Christina Binkley

Christopher Niquet

Claire Danes

Crystal Renn

Eric Wilson

Hamish Bowles

Heidi Hayden

Jillian Sinel

John Demsey

Karen Elson

Ken Downing

Lola Schnabel

Meike Schady

Naomi Campbell

Nicole Phelps

Paz de la Huerta

Robin Givhan

Sean Combs

Simon de Beaupre

Sonia Traikia

Stephen Posen

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Susan Posen

Zac Posen

MUSIC

“70-30 (Instrumental)” by The Lions Rampant

Courtesy of Deep Elm Records

“Life’s Young Dream” Written by Chris White and Ian Ellerker

Courtesy of Killer Tracks

“Magic Motion - Instrumental” by Seth Philpott

Courtesy of Musicbed

“All Night RNR” by The Lions Rampant

Courtesy of Deep Elm Records

“Launch” by Ryan Taubert

Courtesy of Musicbed

“I Am Going Home” Written by Charles Wycuff

Performed by Middle Georgia Singing Convention No. 1

Courtesy of Epic Records By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

“Marcus Asbo”

Written by Andrew Blythe and Marten Joustra [PRS]

Courtesy of Killer Tracks

“2001 Angel Orensanz Center Show Music” Written and performed by John Frusciante

Courtesy of John Frusciante

“Youth” by Bells

Courtesy of Musicbed

“Run For Your Life” Written by Sarah Demarest Barthel and

Joshua Michael Carter Performed by Big Grams

RMM 416 Publishing (SESAC) Courtesy of Epic Records & Republic

Records By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

“When A Fire Starts to Burn” Written by Guy William Lawrence, and

Howard John Lawrence [PRS] Performed by Disclosure

Universal Music Publishing Courtesy of Universal Music Group

“Lady”

Written by John Padgett (100%) [BMI] Performed by The Chromatics

Publishing by Italians Do It Better [BMI] as administered by Songs of Kobalt Music

Publishing [BMI]

“Blum (Instrumental)” by Longlake

Courtesy of Musicbed

“Fix Up Look Sharp” Performed by Dizzee Rascal (feat. sample

by Billy Squier) Spirit Music Publishing

Courtesy of Beggars Music Group and Capitol Records

“In the Zone”

Written and performed by Eric Stamile

“Sunshowers” Written by Mathangi Arulpragasam,

Stephen Patrick Mackey, Ross Orton, August Darnell, and Stony Browder Jr.

Performed by M.I.A. Universal Publishing

Courtesy of 2004 XL Recordings Ltd / GB-BKS-04-00083

Taken from the Album ARULAR

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Interscope Records under license from Universal Music Enterprises

“Little Fluffy Clouds”

Written by Martin Glover, Duncan Alexander Robert Paterson, and Steve Reich

Performed by The Orb Universal Publishing

BMG Publishing Courtesy of Universal Music Group

“Malagueña” from Andalucia Suite

Written by Ernesto Lecuona Performed by Gregory and Ryan Brown of

The 5 Browns

“Valse and Romance” Written by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Performed by Melody, Desirae, and Deondra Brown of The 5 Browns

“The Firebird” (from the 1911 Version)

Written by Igor Stravinsky / Jeffrey Shumway

Performed by The 5 Browns

“Hold the Line” Written by Santi White and Thomas Wesley

Petnz Performed by Major Lazer (feat. Santigold

and Mr. Lexx) Publishing by Little Jerk (ASCAP) / DTCM

Ave (ASCAP) / I Like Turtles Music (ASCAP)

Courtesy of Downtown Records

“Hollywood (Juan Maclean Remix)” Written by Marina Lambrini Diamandis Performed by Marina & The Diamonds Publishing by Warner Chappell Music

Courtesy of Universal Music Group

“Challenging Times” by Kerry Muzzey

Courtesy of Musicbed

“Dark Obsessions” Written by Magnum Opus [ASCAP]

Courtesy of Killer Tracks

“Fading Beauty”

Written by Kenzo Bond [PRS] Courtesy of Killer Tracks

“Hanna’s Theme”

Written by Tom Rowlands Performed by The Chemical Brothers

Publishing by Universal Music Courtesy of Universal Music Group

“Stars”

Written and Performed by Constance Power (50%) [PRS]

Publishing by Village Stories Limited [PRS] as administered by Kobalt Music Group Ltd

[PRS]

Footage Courtesy of

Associated Press

Benjamin Seroussi

Bunny Lake Films

Michael Cleary

Condé Nast

CONUS

Delta

Fashion Television

firstVIEW TV

Getty Video

INT Source/Fox News

Kate Neckel

Off the Fence

Stephen Posen

The Hollywood Reporter

Wazee

Video Fashion

Photos Courtesy of

Art Resource

Associated Press

Babette Mangolte

Bryan Derballa

The Daily Telegraph

Getty Images

Gigi Stoll

Globe Photos Inc.

The Hollywood Reporter

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Jesse Frohman

Jennifer Weisbord

Keystone Press

Linda Dubilier and M Peckman

Mark Lyon

Mary Hilliard

Mario Testino

Michael Benabib

New York Post

Pamela Hanson

Patrick McMullan

Randall Slavin

Reuters

Robert Fairer

Ry Russo Young

Saint Ann’s School Archival Photography

Shutterstock

Soho Artists Association Records, Smithsonian

Splash News

Stephen Posen

Telegraph

Todd France

Zuma Press

A Very Special Thanks to:

Brooks Brothers

Special Thanks to the following Organizations and Locations:

The Affinia Hotel

Canon Cinema EOS

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Core Club NYC

Grand Central Station

The Guggenheim Museum

INK Entertainment

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pez, Inc.

Special Thanks to the following People:

Al Smith

Anne Adami

Arthur Wayne

Barbara Schneeweiss

Christiane Mack

Claudio Del Vecchio

Hannah Swacker Kurnit

James Adams

Jim Blokland

Joe Mimran and Kimberley Newport-Mimran

Laura Barnett

Michael Abbott

Mimi Brown

Nan Halperin

Nicolas Dupart and Rebekah Caldwell

Sinead Archetti

Stephanie Diaz-Matos

Steven D’Souza

Taanta Gupta

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Victor De Vita

The filmmakers are especially grateful to the following:

Ava Imperio

Celine Mariton

Christopher Niquet

Jillian Sinel

The Posen Family

The artisans, artists and craftsmen who work at Zac Posen

This motion picture is protected under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries throughout the world. Any unauthorized exhibition, distribution, or copying of this film or any part thereof

(including soundtrack) may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.

Copyright © iDeal Posen 2017. All Rights Reserved

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