Directed by: ?ulie Benasra Produced By:Thierry Daher

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SYNOPSIS 

“God Save My Shoes” is the first documentary film to explore the intimate relationship women have with their 

shoes. 

To understand how shoes have come to hold such a pivotal place in pop culture, sexuality and women’s lives, God 

Save my Shoes turned to many of those who play a role in the global shoe phenomenon: Extreme shoe lovers, fashion 

historians and editors, psychologists, sex experts, shoe fetishists, and star designers Christian Louboutin, Manolo 

Blahnik, Walter Steiger, Pierre Hardy, Bruno Frisoni, and Robert Clergerie, along with such celebrities as Fergie, Kelly 

Rowland and Dita Von Teese. 

With its psychological, sociocultural, and erotic take—from ancient elevated soles to today’s skyscraping stilettos, 

from Marilyn Monroe to Sex & the City—God Save my Shoes brings an offbeat and captivating answer to the 

universally puzzling relationship between women and their shoes. 

www.caidproductions.com, info@caidproductions.com 212. 337.1416

GOD SAVE MY SHOES 

PRESS RELEASE 1 OF 2 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

New York, NY (June 27th, 2011) - CAID PRODUCTIONS announced today the completion and upcoming release of its latest 

feature documentary, GOD SAVE MY SHOES. It is the first film that explores the intense relationship between women and 

their shoes. 

Written and directed by JULIE BENASRA, “God Save My Shoes” explores why shoes are the most seductive and addictive 

item in a woman’s closet and how shoes have become a totem object, outshining all fashion accessories. 

To understand the magic power of shoes, “God Save My Shoes” journeyed into women’s psyche and closets, examining 

the psychological, sociocultural, and erotic significance of these objects. The quest to decipher why shoes trigger such 

fiery emotions among most women (and quite a few men) took the production to New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Toronto, 

Milan, and Florence to interview those who play a role in the global shoe phenomenon: extreme shoe-lovers and everyday 

women, fashion historians and editors, psychologists, sex experts, as well as shoe fetishists. “God Save my Shoes” also 

turned to celebrities such as Fergie, Dita Von Teese, Kelly Rowland, and star designers Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, 

Walter Steiger, Pierre Hardy, Bruno Frisoni, and Robert Clergerie. 

“When I started this film, little did I know I was actually going to explore the feminine condition, whether I looked at it 

from a psychological, historical or sexual angle. Now I just can’t slip into a shoe the same way I used to”, says Director 

Julie Benasra. 

Witty, glamorous, insightful and sassy, this film proposes an offbeat and captivating answer to the universal, passionate, 

and sensual relationship between women and their shoes. A fascinating portrait of the modern woman through the history 

and cultural significance of shoes—from ancient elevated soles to today’s skyscraping stilettos, from Marilyn Monroe to 

Sex & the City – that reveals how shoes have come to occupy such a pivotal place in pop culture, sexuality and women’s 

lives. 

”God Save My Shoes” was produced by THIERRY DAHER, founder of CAID PRODUCTIONS, with the support of CANAL+, 

Europe’s top premium-pay TV network. 

“God Save My Shoes” is set to premiere in Paris on September 28, 2011, during Fashion Week, and will air for the first 

time on CANAL+ on October 04, 2011. A US Premiere will follow in October. North American and world distribution is being 

finalized at this time. 

Beginning Monday June 27thCAID PRODUCTIONS will be releasing a short web series every week entitled “’God Save My 

Shoes’ Production Diaries. It will feature exclusive content, outtakes and interviews – catering to its Facebook fan page. 

The series will take the viewer from Christian Louboutin’s studio in Paris, to Vogue’s shoe closet in New York, the Bata 

Shoe Museum in Toronto, and the Ferragamo Palace in Florence, among several others. 



PRESS RELEASE 2 OF 2 

ABOUT CAID PRODUCTIONS 

CAID PRODUCTIONS is a creative, production and social media marketing company. The company creates, produces and 

releases independent films and innovative branded content to engage consumers and brands in a new relationship. In 

2006, CAID PRODUCTIONS produced and distributed the multi-award winner film JUST FOR KICKS, the first documentary 

on the history of sneakers and hip hop which released globally. In 2008 it produced WAY OF THE B-BOY, which aired on 

MTV2. And in 2009, CAID produced ANY GIVEN TUESDAY IN BROOKLYN, a short documentary retracing the Barack Obama 

Election Day in Brooklyn. For more information about CAID PRODUCTIONS please visit www.caidproductions.com 

ABOUT GOD SAVE MY SHOES 

Website & Teaser: www.godsavemyshoes.com 

Film ID Card: http://www.godsavemyshoes.com/pdf/GSMS.pdf 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/God-Save-My-Shoes/176409635729425 

CONTACT 

THIERRY DAHER -- CAID PRODUCTIONS, 515 West 20 Street, Suite5E - New York, NY 10010. 

Tel: +1 (917) 498 6778 -- tdaher@caidproductions.com 



INTERVIEW PROFILES 1 OF 3 

Anne Hugo / Script Writer / Paris 

Parisian writer Anne Hugo is a true “shoe addict. Surrounded by pumps, and boots, and stilettos, and boxes, the shoes she 

wears define her mood. 

Baroness Monica Von Neumann / Los Angeles 

Widow of an Austrian baron, a philanthropist, and also capable of spending $5,000 on a pair of boots, the Baroness is one of 

the most eccentric and endearing characters of the film. 

Beth Shak / Professional Poker Player / Pennsylvania 

A professional poker player, Shak possesses the largest personal collection of shoes shown in the film: more than 900 pairs! 

A treasure that she hasn’t been able to measure-either financially or emotionally. 

Bruno Frisoni / Shoe Creator / Artistic Director of the House of Roger Vivier / Paris 

The artistic director is considered one of the most talented designers in the world of fashion. For him, the art of shoes goes 

beyond design. It’s architecture. 

Caroline de Fayet / Senior Accessories Editor ELLE / Paris 

French ELLE’s senior accessories editor Caroline de Fayet gives her fashion take on women’s obsession for shoes. 

Christian Louboutin / Shoe Designer / Paris 

Christian Louboutin is considered THE shoe magician, thanks to his red-soled shoes and towering stilettos that women across 

the globe idolize. From his Paris studio, holding a patent stiletto or drawing pencil, Louboutin share his designer insight on 

fetishism and heel height. 

Dita Von Teese / Burlesque Dancer / Los Angeles/Paris 

Sassy and sexy, Dita Von Teese reveals her love of heels; and their importance in female eroticism. 

Elizabeth Semmelhack / Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum / Toronto 

The curator of Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum opens the doors to one of the world’s largest shoes collections - 10,000 pairs 

of shoes – which houses the highest shoe ever worn by a woman. She makes a historical parallel between the evolution of 

woman’s image and the different types of heeled soles. 

Fergie / Singer / Black Eyed Peas 

From the world famous hip-hop band, the Black Eyed Peas, Fergie wears 7 inches heels on-stage! 

Filipa Fino / Consultant / Former Vogue’s Senior Accessories Editor / New York 

Vogue’s senior accessories editor, Filipa Fino, gives a fashion and feminine outlook on women’s obsession for shoes. Giving us 

a preview into Vogue’s New York shoe closet, one that’s coveted by all shoe lovers. 

Janet Berardi / Businesswoman / New Jersey 

The American businesswoman with 300 pairs in her closet. A closet designed around her shoes. 




Jayme Albin / Psychologist / New York 

American cognitive behavior therapist who believes that shoes rhymes with sexuality. 

Kelly Rowland / Singer / New York 

The American pop star and former Destiny’s Child member, Rowland candidly confesses her love for shoes, going as far as 

calling them her babies. 

Laya Rahman / Shoe Designer / Paris 

Designer and founder of Cindy Glass 

Laurent Giraud / Editor-in-Chief / Playboy and FHM / Paris 

Manolo Blahnik / Shoe Designer / London 

An unconventional character, Manolo Blahnik was the one who revived the very high heel shoes in the 70s. Experimental and 

traditionalist, he does everything himself. His eyes sparkle when he hears the word stiletto. 

Marshal Cohen / Sr Market Analyst / NPD Group / New York 

Senior analyst, Marshall Cohen explains the magnitude of the footwear market and the share women hold in the pie. 

Marie-Agnès Gillot / Prima Ballerina / Opéra de Paris 

From her dressing room and her dance studio at Paris Opera Marie-Agnès Gillot tells us how she can go from the tip of her toes 

to the height of her heels. 

Mary Lou Quinlan / Marketing Consultant / New York 

Mary Lou Quinlan transports us from the unreasonable demonstration of affection for her shoes to the (self) analysis of 

women’s obsession for shoes. 

Meghan Cleary / Author / New York/Los Angeles 

Shoe expert and author of “Shoe are You?” 

Michael Nitis / Manager of the Christian Louboutin Boutique / New York 

Midori / Fetish expert / Toronto 

According to former fetish diva Midori, high-heel shoes and eroticism go hand in hand. 

Nikki Schiro / Artist / New York 

New York artist Nikki Schiro confesses just how far a shoe affair can take you. 




Pierre Hardy / Shoe Designer / Paris 

Considered a shoe genius, Pierre Hardy is the former creative director at Hermes and Balenciaga. Now creates under his own 

brand. 

Robert Clergerie / Shoe Designer / Romans 

Designer and the last remaining manufacturer in France’s shoe capital: Romans-sur-Isère. 

Serge Hefez / Psychoanalyst / Paris 

Serge Hefez makes a Freudian analysis of the erotic ties between shoes and feet (from a French perspective…). 

Shequida Hall / Drag queen / New York 

Shequida Hall completed her transformation from man to woman with a pair of heels. 

Sophie Bramly / Female sexuality expert / Paris 

Female sexuality expert Sophie Bramly reveals how women’s emancipation, sexuality, and power are intimately linked with the 

shoes they wear. 

Suzanne Levine / Orthopedist Surgeon / New York 

Valerie Steele / Fashion historian and curator of the Museum at The Fashion Institute / New York 

Fashion historian and curator of the Museum at The Fashion Institute of New York, Valerie provides a captivating insight on 

fashion and fetishism. 

Walter Steiger / Shoe Designer / Paris 

Originally from Switzerland, Walter Steiger began making shoes with his father, a ski boot shoemaker. Steiger however was 

destined for women’s shoes – especially the ones with high-heels, which singers enjoy sporting on stage. Steiger himself is 

surprised at how they are able to dance in heels. 


Julie Benasra and crew during the photoshoot, 

New York, August 2010 

Stock of shoes at the photoshoot, New York, August 2010 

Pierre Hardy Portrait

! 

Photo of Walter Steiger shoes 

taken during the photoshoot, New York, August 2010 

Sergio Rossi boots 

(shoes on a white background in the film) 

! 

! 

The Pigalle Shoe 

of Christian Louboutin 

Chopines exposed at 

the Bata Shoe Museum,Toronto.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE 

I was somewhat puzzled when two years ago Thierry (of CAID Productions) asked me to direct “God Save My Shoes.” I 

thought “of course women love their shoes but just as much as they love clothing, bags or jewelry...” I did not yet realize 

the important role shoes held in a woman’s life. I didn’t yet know that this tiny object carried more symbolism and 

significance than any other piece of clothing or accessory we put on our body? 

Along my research, I was absolutely fascinated by these women who spoke of their shoes as if they were a loved one. 

A few days later, I decided to take my research into my own closet. Seriously?! I have over 50 pairs?! I had never even 

considered myself as a cliché “shoe-gal”! Was I unknowingly harboring my own weakness for shoes? 

Who better to turn to in understanding the hypnotic allure of shoes than women themselves? Why so many? Why so 

much? Why does that shoe-high feeling suddenly skyrocket when buying a new pair? Why do some women say shoes are 

better than sex? How do they feel, physically and emotionally, when slipping into high-heels the goddess of all shoes? 

No distance could have kept me from capturing the universal scope of this shoe phenomenon. Traveling to locations such 

as Florence, Milan, Paris, Toronto, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Romans-sur-Isere to meet with 

many of the top players of the shoe industry. The drawback to that was that I had to adapt to a local crew anywhere I 

went. But at each location, we did our best to recruit a girl-only crew: keeping true to creating a film about women by 

women. 

Sexy rock beats resonated in my mind all throughout shooting. I was determined to fuel the film with the perfect musical 

compliment. Thanks to Thierry and the CAID Productions team who understood that all too well, the original “God Save 

My Shoes” soundtrack was composed and recorded in New York. 

As for me, after going through over a hundred hours of footage, as well as driving my producer and editors crazy, I finally 

understood that this film was weaving a parallel between women’s shoes, Womanhood, and the condition of women as a 

whole – thus revealing the pivotal role shoes have played in pop culture, sexuality and women’s lives. It is a far-reaching 

matter that we treated with a sprinkle of sarcasm and much affection. 

Since then, I haven’t slipped into a pair of shoes the same way again; and 

I hope you won’t either. 

Julie Benasra 


PRODUCER’S NOTE 1 OF 2 

“God Save My Shoes” is the result of an original idea, as well as a friendship. 

This idea came from a need to understand the obsessive nature that certain objects can hold on some people; to the point 

that some of them even become modern cultural fetishes. The shoe seems to have that magical power on many of us. It 

generates a compulsive need to buy-a frenzy leading to obsession sometimes. I have often wondered why. 

As a pop culture addict that’s been in New York for over 20 years I discovered hip-hop in the late 80’s in Harlem and then 

Brooklyn, where I currently live. 

In 2005, I produced the first documentary that features the history of sneakers and Hip Hop entitled “Just For Kicks.” The 

story follows how sport shoes born in the playgrounds of New York later became a symbol of style for a generation. “Just 

For Kicks” was produced in collaboration with Canal Plus and SpikeTV. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2005 

and won 3 Best Documentary Awards in international festivals. The film was featured in the US & Canada (Spike TV), in 

South America (MTV Latin America), in Australia and NZ (Warner), in Europe (Canal+, Studio Canal,), and was released in 

theatres in Japan in May 2007. 

In 2007, still captivated by these urban shoe collectors, I was suddenly struck by the obvious: these moguls of hip-hop 

and sneakers were overpowered by their wives when it came to shoes! 

More intense and complex, “the relationship between women and their shoes” was much more surprising than anything I 

had explored before. The more I asked my friends to tell me about their shoes and the further I looked in their closets, the 

more I discovered an intense phenomenon that is culturally universal yet still unexplained. By definition: a real treasure 

for the producer that I am. 

I then pitched the project to Julie Benasra, who was to turn this project into a film. 

I realized that it was essential to entrust this project to someone who can understand that intense emotion and be able 

to express a feeling common in feminine culture. Only a talented and sexy woman could write, direct and give birth to a 

film that would directly speak to women. 

I have known Julie BENASRA for over 10 years and we have worked together on several occasions. 

In addition, we are very close friends who share a true complicity in intellectual interests, , and a true understanding of 

each other. 

Sometimes, especially when working on a creative project, it is almost a telepathic connection. 

From the start Julie understood the potential and the depth of that subject. She immediately started working very hard 

accumulating research, contacts and interviews. She quickly transformed into the heart and blood of the film. 


PRODUCER’S NOTE 2 0f 2 

Thanks to Canal Plus in France, who trusted us from the get go (US had refused initial talks), we began pre-production in 

New York on June 2010. While filming in Italy, France, New York, Los Angeles and Toronto presented several challenges, 

the involvement of Julie and our production team in New York made it possible to complete production within our original 

financial plan. We realized how fascinating this film would be when stars of the shoe, fashion, and music industry agreed 

to participate. 

The product of our adventure is a documentary film that is funny, quirky, sexy, international, and cultural. This is not a 

film that takes itself seriously, but for the first time the amazing relationship that ties women to their shoes is explained. 

I hope you’ll be as passionate about the film as I am. 

Thierry DAHER 


BIO – JULIE BENASRA 

GOD SAVE MY SHOES IS JULIE BENASRA’S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT. 

In 2009, Julie served as first assistant director, line producer, researcher and journalist 

for a Sony Music / VisionTV documentary series: “European Music Legends”. The 9-part 

series featured the portrayal of some of Europe’s most renowned bands and singers 

such as: Trust, Hubert-Felix Thiefaine, Pierre Bachelet, Joe Dassin, Gino Paoli, Rino 

Gaetano, Giusy Ferreri, Vaya Con Dios, and K’s Choice (Genoa, Verona, Rome, Milan, Belgrade, 

Paris, Brussels, London). Her interviewees included such personalities as Angus 

Young (AC / DC), Bernie Bonvoisin, Benabar, Claude Lemesle, Dave, Hugues Auffray, Iron 

Maiden, Anthrax, Jean Becker, Jean-Jacques Debout, Jean-Michel Borris, Jean-Pierre 

Foucault, Just Jaecquin, Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Monique Le Marcis, Nana Mouskouri, 

Norbert Krief, Michel Fugain, Philipe Lavil, Renzo Piano, Vincent Perrot, Yves Rousset- 

Rouard, Zucchero among many others. 

Julie was also a freelance writer and researcher for Luxe TV (2007-2009), Arrêts sur 

Image (2006), VOYAGES (2004), and directed a corporate film for Alcatel-Lucent (2007). 

Julie lived in New York until 2006, where she did freelance writing and PR for French 

and American companies based in New York. When she returned to France, honing on 

her linguistic skills, she transitioned to translating films and documentaries, working 

with companies such as: France Televisions, Groupe AB, Elephant & Cie, Peninsula Films, 

MK2, Nelka Films, Elzevir Films, FilmFuture productions, CAPA TV, Gemini Films, M6, 

MFP and many more. Eventually leading her to work on films by such filmmakers as 

Christophe Honoré, Julien Seri, Brett Ratner and Dennis Hopper. 

Julie began working with CAID Productions in 2005; she served as writer, producer, and 

translator on films such as: “Way of the B-Boy” (2008), “Any Given Tuesday in Brooklyn” 

(2009), “Just for Kicks” (2005). She also participated in the creative development of a 

viral marketing campaign for Disney (2009). 

Julie studied journalism at Fordham University. She now lives in Paris.

BIO – THIERRY DAHER 

PRODUCER & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER 

Thierry Daher is the Executive Producer and Producer of “God Save My Shoes”(WWW.GODSAVEMYSHOES. 

COM). Born and raised in Marseilles, France, Thierry had studied in France, the US, and Japan, before 

moving to New York in 1990. 

In 2003, Thierry founded Caid Productions, a New York-based creative boutique that combines creative 

services, film production, and online marketing expertise. Thierry draws on his passion for film and 

documentaries, combining it with an original creative acumen that is backed by over 15 years experience 

in digital marketing. As a result Caid Productions creates innovative and groundbreaking content 

at the crossroads of creative pop culture, brand’s history, and fashion: high entertainment value programs 

fit for today’s multiplicity of screens and audiences via TV, web and mobile. 

In 2003 Caid Productions began a two year production of ”Just For Kicks” (WWW.JUSTFORKICKS.TV), 

the first documentary film featuring the history of sneakers and hip hop; it was released in the US 

in 2006. The film is an analysis of the global pop culture sneakers phenomena through interviews of 

world-renown collectors, Hip-Hop pioneers, industry players, rap stars, journalists, brand marketers 

and other sneaker addicts. “Just For Kicks” became a multi-award winning documentary that has 

been seen by over 50 million viewers worldwide (SpikeTV, Canal Plus, MTV Japan, Globosat Brazil, SBS 

Australia…) 

Caid Productions also produced the “Way Of The B-Boy” (2008 – 2009), a Best Music Documentary at 

the 2009 NY independent Film & Video Festival. It was featured on MTV in the US in August 2009. “Any 

Given Tuesday in Brooklyn”, a short documentary that takes place in Brooklyn on Election Day 2008 was 

also completed in 2009. 

Thierry’s work however is also defined by offbeat campaigns, web series, and online viral videos; all 

created, written, produced, and promoted by Caid Productions. In 2008, Thierry and Caid created and 

launched a viral video for Disney that reached more than 9 millions web users in less than 6 months, 

through on viral spread alone. In 2009, 700,000 Internet users were are engaged in a month-long 

national broadcast and TV follow for the charity campaign championed by Lands’ End. In 2008, during 

the U.S presidential election, the Paltalk campaign reached over 9.5 million U.S. Internet users, was 

relayed by nearly 5,000 blogs on the Internet, the U.S. television (Fox News and MSNBC) and the U.S. 

national press. Pfizer, Bic USA, Canson-Oxford, LifeLock, Howcast / Kodak ; Passionata and Shustir. 

com are some ofDaher and Caid Productions’ other clients. 

Creative profession aside, Thierry is also an avid skydiver (over 400 jumps) as well as a marathon runner 

(New York Marathon 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007). He is also active in several charities including funding 

for the research against cancer and palliative care funding.

During the photoshoot, New York, August, 2010

CAID PRODUCTIONS CONTACT 

ABOUT GOD SAVE MY SHOES 

Website & Teaser: www.godsavemyshoes.com 

Film ID Card: http://www.godsavemyshoes.com/pdf/GSMS.pdf 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/God-Save-My-Shoes/176409635729425 

http://www.facebook.com/godsavemyshoes 

THIERRY DAHER -- CAID PRODUCTIONS, 

515 West 20 Street, Suite5E - New York, NY 10010. 

Tel: +1 (917) 498 6778 -- tdaher@caidproductions.com 

www.caidproductions.com

Directed by: ?ulie Benasra Produced By:Thierry Daher

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