Film & TV

Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky

180px-'Coco_&_Igor'_Headline_cover_artRating: tba

Running Time: 118 minutes

Language: French, Russian with English subtitles

Release: April 15 2010

Based on Chris Greenhalgh’s book Coco and Igor which he then adapted for the screen along with director Jan Kounen (99 Francs).  It is based on the alleged affair between Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky.  Russian composer Stravinsky (Mads Mikkelsen) premieres his The Rite Of Spring in Paris in 1913.  Coco Chanel (Anna Mouglalis) attends the premiere and is captivated but for the majority the work is too revolutionary and is met with boos and jeers.  Seven years later, Chanel meets Stravinsky now living penniless in Paris after fleeing the Russian Revolution.  Chanel mourning the loss of her lover offers Stravinsky, his wife Katia (Elena Morozova) and their children to live with her in her villa in Garches.   They soon embark on an affair which fuels them both to greater creative heights.

The opening scene recreates the 1913 performance of “The Rite of Spring” in the Theatre des Champs – Elysees which Kounen manages to capture with such authenticity from the perspective of the audience, orchestra, dancers and backstage.  The differing point of views helps build the tension and complements the manicness of the music.  Original footage of the Russian Revolution is used effectively in bridging the transition in time periods and a illustrates  Kounen’s extensive research and attention to detail.  The film manages to find the balance between these two great revolutionary icons of their time without any one dominating the other.  The melding of the visual style of Chanel and the musicality of Stravinsky works well and adds to the richness of this production.  Kounen makes good use of colour, notably the  black and white of Chanel but he also uses seasons as a strong thematic element.  There is actually not a lot of dialogue, so dont fear the subtitles, as a lot is conveyed more by the visuals, music and acting.  Mikkelsen, Mouglalis and Morozova are outstanding, particularly the latter who displays so much depth and is an excellent counterpoint in the love triangle. 

I must admit having recently watched Coco Avant Chanel it took me awhile to accept Mougalalis as Chanel rather than Audrey Tatou, but once you can cleanse your mind of that she encapsulates all that is Chanel.

3.5/5 stars

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