The documentary explores the history of Merchant Ivory, an independent film company founded in the 1960s and active until the 2000s. The company was led by four creatives: producer Ismail Merchant, director James Ivory, screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and composer Richard Robbins. The film showcases their most successful period dramas, as well as their personal and professional relationships, which were often intertwined. Merchant and Ivory were in a romantic relationship, and the company's dynamics were shaped by their contrasting personalities: Merchant was a "con man" who secured funding and reduced costs, while Ivory was a soft-spoken perfectionist. The company's productions often had a familial atmosphere, despite being dysfunctional at times. The documentary concludes with an epilogue on James Ivory's life after Ismail Merchant's passing in 2005.
Merchant Ivory
The cinematic heritage of Merchant Ivory Productions is explored through candid discussions with James Ivory and his esteemed collaborators.
