Norman Jaffe (1932–1993) was known for his sculptural homes, intense charisma, and devotion to architecture as a spiritual art form. But behind his movie-star looks and celebrity commissions was a restless, often tormented, soul. On August 19, 1993, Jaffe went for a morning swim and never returned. Structured as a cinematic investigation, the film interweaves interviews, site visits, archival footage, and Jaffe’s own writings to explore the complex psyche behind his award-winning designs. His widow, three sons, colleagues, clients, a former lover, and even a detective who worked on the case contribute to a layered portrait of a man driven by beauty, haunted by perfectionism, and ultimately consumed by his own success.

Writer and director Alastair Gordon is an award-winning journalist, cultural historian, and filmmaker. For more than twenty years, he wrote a column on architecture and design for the New York Times and, later, the Wall Street Journal, as well as for many other publications. Gordon is uniquely qualified to make this documentary, having enjoyed a personal relationship with the film’s central figure, Norman Jaffe, and having written extensively about his work in the New York Times and other publications. Gordon also curated a major retrospective of Jaffe’s architectural work at the Parrish Art Museum, Southampton (2005), and authored the only book devoted to the architect: Romantic Modernist: The Life and Work of Norman Jaffe, Architect (Monacelli Press, 2005).

Michael Peyser is a filmmaker and producer of major studio movies and popular independent films. He was the founding senior vice president of Hollywood Pictures at Walt Disney Studios, overseeing creative development, production, and release of an extensive roster of films. Peyser’s producing credits include U2-3D (2008); Imagining Argentina (2003); Speed 2 (1997); Matilda (1996); Hackers (1995); The Distinguished Gentleman (1992); Big Business (1988); F/X (1986); Ruthless People (1986); and Desperately Seeking Susan (1985). Earlier in his career, Peyser supervised the production of several films by Woody Allen, including Manhattan, Stardust Memories, Zelig, Broadway Danny Rose, and The Purple Rose of Cairo. For twelve years, Peyser was a tenured professor at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.

Wandering Eye Studios is an independent media company that specializes in films about art, design, architecture, urbanism, and the human environment. The company was cofounded in 2023 by Alastair Gordon, an award-winning journalist, cultural historian, and filmmaker, along with producers Michael Peyser and Gillian Crozier.