Bert Stern: Original Madman 2013

In the unconventional documentary Bert Stern: Original Madman (2012), we meet the legendary photographer, Bert Stern, who candidly shares his story for the very first time. His remarkable journey began humbly as a mailroom boy at Look Magazine, where he forged a significant friendship with budding photographer, Stanley Kubrick.

As Stern’s career took off, it mirrored the Golden Age of Advertising. His groundbreaking “Driest of the Dry” campaign for Smirnoff not only propelled his fame but also transformed America into a vodka-drinking nation, achieving groundbreaking sales and making Bert a highly sought-after photographer by the young age of 25. He became a central figure in the advertising world, catching the eye of heavyweights in Madison Avenue, Hollywood, and the international fashion scene. Those in the industry could not deny that he was integral to the creative evolution that George Lois often spoke of.

Alongside iconic figures like Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, Stern established the concept photographer as a starlike figure in his own right. Photographing an array of the world’s most stunning women, including Jean Shrimpton, Suzie Parker, Audrey Hepburn, Bridget Bardot, Twiggy, Liz Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe, this Brooklyn native was truly living out a dream.

Stern’s life took another intriguing turn when he married the stunning international ballet dancer, Allegra Kent, a protégé of Balanchine. For a time, it appeared there was nothing that Bert Stern could not achieve.

In this revealing documentary, filmmaker Shannah Laumeister unearths not just the man behind the camera, but also delves into their unique long-term relationship. Becoming Bert Stern is more than a story of success; it’s a profound exploration of self-creation—an intricate narrative of rise, fall, and remarkable reinvention. It navigates the intricate themes of creativity, celebrity, and desire, all through the lens of a man who almost had it all.