As soon as I saw the trailer for the new film France starring Léa Seydoux, I knew couldn’t wait to see her amazing fashions. France is currently available to stream on Kino Now before it opens to winder steaming release later this month. I watched last night and I think it might be my new favorite on screen wardrobe. The film was written and directed by French filmmaker Bruno Dupont whose earlier work I had not seen. Apparently most of his films are very different but end up telling a similar story in the end. This one focuses on the contemporary bourgeois Paris world of a famous television journalist played by Léa Seydoux.

Léa Seydoux brilliantly holds the center of Bruno Dumont’s unexpected, unsettling new film, which starts out as a satire of the contemporary news media before steadily spiraling out into something richer and darker. Never one to shy away from provoking his viewers, Dumont (The Life of Jesus, NYFF35) casts Seydoux as France de Meurs, a seemingly unflappable superstar TV journalist whose career, home life, and psychological stability are shaken after she carelessly drives into a young delivery man on a busy Paris street. This accident triggers a series of self-reckonings, as well as a strange romance that proves impossible to shake. A film that teases at redemption while refusing to grant absolution, France is tragicomic and deliciously ambivalent—a very 21st-century treatment of the difficulty of maintaining identity in a corrosive culture.

It’s been described as a satire but that’s not how I’d describe it, although there are satirical moments that seem like they are very real in my online world. To me, it’s a film that feels relevant as we enter our third year of a global pandemic and what happens when someone who looks like they have it all is deeply unhappy and depressed. I definitely don’t want to give anything away but it’s a film that left be thinking after it ended and not just about the fashion and interiors. But I’m sure that’s what you want me to discuss so here we go.

The film takes place in Paris with some detours to other countries as Léa’s character named France travels to conflict areas for her television journalist stories, and a sojourn to a clinic in the Alps. Throughout, France wears beautiful jewel tones and bright lipstick which makes it look like she has it all together even if her life is actually falling apart. There’s something about her look that reminds me of Catherine Deneuve right down to a black patent leather raincoat straight out of Belle de Jour. I felt a coup de foudre, or thunderbolt of love for the interiors of the apartment that France shares with her husband and son. I’ll have a more in depth post about it tomorrow.

I think it’s important to give credit to Léa’s superb acting, as well as everyone involved with the visuals of the film. It’s a masterclass on how costumes, art direction, production design, hair, makeup, and cinematography can come together to create something incredibly sublime. It obviously starts with director Bruno Dumont and includes cinematographer David Chambille, costume design by Alexandra Charles, production design by Erwan Le Gal, set decoration by Pierre Renault and Pauline Stern, makeup artists Barbara Kreuzer and Simon Livet.

Léa Seydoux has been a face of Louis Vuitton for years so she obviously wears a lot of the brand throughout the film. This dress she wears early on sets the tone for all the jewel toned colors that will make up the bulk of her wardrobe. I suspect it is because the logo of her television station is a fuchsia letter I and also that she looks great in the color.

Other brands thanked in the credits include Joseph, Chloé, Max Mara, Colisée, Mabonneamie, Les Deux Oursons, Eric Bompard cashmere, and vintage shops Troc de Marques, and Luxe Intemporel.

When I talk about all the departments on the film coming together, this was the first hint of something special. The deep red of her double-faced wool coat matched the deep glossy red of the front door to the apartment and pops against the dark entry walls. You can find a similar coat for less here.

Arriving home to her husband Peter, we see the first room of the apartment filled with expensive art and antiques. In a later scene I could tell that it sits directly on the Place des Vosges and a quick Google search revealed that the apartment that is for rent for parties and events belongs to auctioneer Jean-Claude Binoche. I’m going to put together a post just on the apartment and restaurant and bar downstairs tomorrow.

You get a little view of the tapestries that line the walls of this room and how they can be used in a contemporary home. You can find the almost exact same coat here.

If you weren’t convinced to buy a brightly colored coat in my post last week, maybe this post will convince you that you need a beautiful brightly colored silk blouse at the very least.

A rust jacket is worn to a dinner party at home. Her jacket looks very much like this silk-satin wrap jacket.

I suspected that this fur coat was vintage since it looked like it had been relined in a bright red fabric so it was fun to see two Paris vintage shops thanked in the credits. You can find similar coats here and here.

More inspiration to add a colorful coat to your wardrobe this spring.

This bright blue dress picks up the color of her eyes and works with the colorful background of this scene.

We get a glimpse into the kitchen of the apartment with perfectly coordinated fashions.

I love how the blue of her shirt picks up the blue in the tea cup. These are the things that impressed me about everyone involved in making this film.

If you’re looking for a bright colored lipstick to emulate this look, I highly recommend the new Hermès Beauty line of lipsticks that have this same matte finish.

There is one evening look in the film and I thought it was interesting that they added a vintage looking stole.

An artistic still from the film.

I cant figure out where scene was filmed so if anyone recognizes it, please let me know.

NB: One of my kind followers alerted me that this is Les Salons Hoche, a grand 19th-century venue for business events & celebrations with marble rooms & Baroque splendor near Parc Monceau.

She wears a bit of a sexy skirt to meet with her therapist. The management team of the film thanked the real estate division of LVMH which makes me wonder if they borrowed this location from them.

You can see the Place des Vosges park in this scene in the apartment. The color of the trees make me think this was filmed in October which is one of my favorite times in Paris.

This hot pink blouse is a great color for on screen but you could tone it down under a black suit. This Berry Pink Silk Bow Blouse is very similar and you can other Silk Bow Tie Blouse colors here.

It looks like all the cashmere sweaters from from the Timeless Collection from Eric Bompard.

I love the mix of plaid and florals in this outfit. You can find similar plait wool coats here and here. Her bag is the Louis Vuitton Capucines.

Some of the most sunning scenes take place at Schloss Elmau in Germany.

I’m pretty sure this is another Eric Bompard sweater.

At first, I thought this parka was actually fur but then I realized it’s a print. The only brand I could find who’s making anything like this is Mr. and Mrs. Italy.

This is the black patent leather coat that reminds me of one that Catherine Deneuve wears in Belle de Jour. You can find similar styles here and here.

Even with so many outfit changes, Léa Seydoux’s character does rewear some outfits and coats. This grey plaid coat actually looks like an old Zara coat that I own.

This floral sequined Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2019 coat was pretty spectacular.

This scene was filmed at the Jardin du Luxembourg. Her bag is the Louis Vuitton Capucines.

I’m getting my hair cut today. I don’t think I’ll go quite this short I’m excited to get my hair cut in a similar lob style. I’m ready for a refresh and now just need a bright lipstick to finish off the look.

I can’t wait to show you more of this insanely chic apartment in my next post.

It’s not exactly the same but you can find a similar colored blouse here.

The cinematography in this film is just so beautiful.

Another view of the apartment on Place de Vosges.

My new goal in life is to move to an apartment in Paris with a glossy red door.

This scene is funny because they leave the Place des Vosges apartment to take a walk but are actually walking on rue de Galliera. You can see the Palais de Tokyo in the background. They must have filmed several outdoor scenes in the park and surrounding streets. It fits with the bourgeois look of the film.

I know that France is not a film for everyone but it’s definitely worth watching for the fashion, interiors, and view of Paris so I hope you’ll give it a chance.

XOXO,

HC