7 Main Films About The Life Of Coco Chanel

2023 Author: Henry Pass | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 21:12

Gabrielle Boner Chanel was born on August 19, 1883 in the French city of Saumur. Having grown up without a mother and left by her father at the age of 12, she survived poverty, war, social rejection and, having founded her own Fashion House, became the main symbol of her time and France. The biography of this amazing woman could not be ignored by filmmakers: we have chosen eight films - fiction and documentary, which will tell the story of the Great Mademoiselle better than others.

Lonely Coco Chanel

George Katzender, 1981

"Fashion made her famous, and only one man made her cry" - the loud and immodest slogan of the melodrama immediately makes it clear what period of Chanel's life will be discussed. In the center of the plot is the relationship of young Gabrielle with Arthur Capel, the main love in Mademoiselle's life, the man who broke her heart, but without whom, perhaps today there would be no Chanel House. Their amazing and difficult relationship ended tragically: Arthur's betrayal and his engagement to another woman. However, the wedding never took place: he died in a car accident, which became a strong emotional shock for Chanel. The film will tell how these events influenced the fate of Gabrielle and what consequences they led.

Gabrielle Chanel. Immortal style"

Elodie Leonard, 2001

A documentary film with archival interviews of Gabrielle Chanel herself and videos from the shows of her collections. A rare opportunity to hear and see the very founder of the French House. In general, the film is built on the principle of interviews with people who either deeply studied her work, or who knew her personally.

Coco Chanel

Christian Dughet, 2008

Television film that earned lead actress Shirley McLain a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Film on TV. The drama takes on the mission to tell the life of Chanel, from a difficult childhood to triumph, when her own fashion house becomes almost the main attraction of France. Those who have reviewed all the films about Coco say that McLain has coped with the role of a strong-willed and decisive designer better than other actresses.

Coco to Chanel

Anne Fontaine, 2009

After its release, the film was nominated for an Oscar, and here it is important to pay attention to which nomination - Best Costumes. There is no greater praise for a biographical drama about a designer, even a Best Picture nomination would not be such a success. Anne Fontaine's picture turned out to be really beautiful: the costumes of the heroes deserve close attention and study, it is clear that the dressers spent more than one night studying the Chanel style. And of course, Audrey Tautou in the title role is also a victory.

Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky

Jean Cunen, 2009

While the bulk of films try to tell as much as possible about Chanel's life, capturing as much of her life as screen time allows, Jean Cunin's drama, on the contrary, concentrates on a single story. The plot revolves around the secret and short-lived relationship between a Russian composer and a French milliner. A separate reason to watch this film today is Mads Mikkelsen, who plays Stravinsky.

"Once" and "Return"

Karl Lagerfeld, 2012 and 2013

Two short films about the founder of the House, directed by the creative director of Chanel, are a tribute and a declaration of endless love for this woman and her life's work. Both were unveiled ahead of the off-season shows in Singapore and Dallas, respectively. “Once” tells about the beginning of Gabrielle Chanel's career in Deauville, “The Return” takes the viewer to 1954, when Chanel reopens the Couture House in Paris and prepares for a show that will restore her status and recognition. Separately, it should be noted that in the 2012 film the role of Coco Chanel went to Keira Knightley, and in 2013 Geraldine Chaplin, the daughter of Charlie Chaplin, embodied the image of the designer.

• Film
• Coco Chanel
• Audrey Tautou
• Igor Stravinsky
• Karl Lagerfeld