‘Coco Before Chanel’ Director Anne Fontaine Celebrates Premiere of ‘Boléro,’ Teases New Project About Popular Music (EXCLUSIVE)
29.01.2024 - 11:11
/ variety.com
Marta Balaga Please don’t stop the music: Anne Fontaine isn’t done with it just yet. Following “Boléro” — world premiering at International Film Festival Rotterdam — the noted director is developing another melodic project. “It’s about a character who was a star at 10 years old.
He had a ‘magic’ voice, but then he suddenly lost it. Years later, he is ready to come back. It’s a comedy, based on something real,” she says.
Admitting that this time, she will swap classical compositions for popular tunes. “I like songs: they are in our blood. We hear them and remember we lost a lover when they were playing.
They mark our lives. There will be so much music [in this film]. And all these amazing voices, including a real-life singer making her film debut.” New project will combine “cruelty and humor.” “Our destiny might be cruel, but we are still able to laugh about it.
After ‘Boléro,’ I still wanted to talk about music but show another side of it. It’s such a powerful way of expression.” In her latest film, Fontaine — whose previous credits include “Coco Before Chanel” — focuses on French composer and pianist Maurice Ravel, played by Raphaël Personnaz. Or rather, on his most famous creation.
“I prefer to say I made a biopic of ‘Boléro,’” she observes. “Alexandre Tharaud, a pianist who acts in the film, told me that when he plays Ravel, he feels his sensibility and personality. We can meet Ravel only through his music: he was so mysterious.
You think you know famous people, but you don’t. With Coco Chanel, I focused on her youth. Here, I explore his emotions.