Film: Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky – CLOSED

A beautifully shot film, Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky is an aural and visual sensation. Jan Kounen (Dobermann, Blueberry) directs this intense French drama, which follows an illicit affair between fashion designer and entrepreneur Coco Chanel (Anna Mouglalis, Merci Pour le Chocolat) and modernist Russian composer Igor Stravinsky (Mads Mikkelsen, best known by English-speaking audiences for his villain in Casino Royale).

The film opens in Paris, 1913, where Stravinsky’s hugely controversial The Rite of Spring is premiering at the Champs-Elysees Theatre.  Although the ballet causes outrage and walkouts, Chanel watches enraptured from the audience, impressed by the performance’s unconventionality.  Seven years later, Chanel and Stravinsky cross paths again.  Chanel has been devastated by the loss of her lover, Arthur ‘Boy’ Capel (though as one character observes, “She even makes grief look chic”); Stravinsky has lost his country, exiled following the Russian Revolution.  The attraction between the characters is instantaneous, and Chanel quickly invites Stravinsky – and his wife (Elena Morozova) and children – to stay in her country home, so that Igor may compose in peace.  There, their attraction develops into an affair, and their passion into creative expression.

The film would have us believe that the affair between Stravinsky and Chanel significantly influenced each of their work.  Whether or not this is the case, it is an interesting premise and makes for an attractive film.  Although a little light on character development, considering the fame of the names Chanel and Stravinsky, there is instead an emphasis on the visual and musical influences in the film.  This piece is not about the characters, but the creative output of the characters.  The use of music is striking, the set design and costuming stunning.  The film’s opening sequence, showing the performance and audience reaction to The Rite of Spring, is enthralling: the cinematography, the filming of the dancers, and the music has the effect of drawing the viewer in completely.  Coco’s art-deco home, and her always-immaculate dress sense, is equally impressive.

Although the romance between Chanel and Stravinsky is not romantic – one never really feels that they share anything beyond an illicit obsession, and recognition of creative possession – that is what makes their connection so captivating.  The viewer is both compelled by the eroticism of their relationship, and repelled by the self-centredness of each character.  It is difficult to sympathise with either Chanel or Stravinsky, precisely because of this selfishness, but Mouglalis and Mikkelsen are both good-looking enough to forgive their character’s flaws.  Much like the film itself, really.

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky is released nationally in Australia on 15th April

Director: Jan Kounen

Cast: Anna Mouglalis, Mads Mikkelsen, Elena Morozova

Giveaway

Thanks to the lovely people at Madman, we have single admit passes to give away to Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky. To go in the draw for two of these tickets simply email your name and address to olivia@trespassmag.com by 15th April. All entrants must be subscribers to our newsletter, and if you’re not already, simple pop your email here.

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