Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, 2009

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, 2009
Director: Jan Kounen
Cast: Mads Mikkelsen (Igor), Anna Mouglais (Coco)




Stage: Theatre Dvor, one of Ljubljana's remaining antiques or momentums of art cinema. The rare exception, where you cannot buy popcorn and don't see trailers. How cool is that?


Coco in short: Paris 1920, Coco is newly wealthy and successful but grief-stricken after Boy's death in a car crash. Igor, following the Russian Revolution is now a penniless refugee living in exile in Paris. Coco is introduced to Igor by Diaghilev, impresario of the Ballets Russes. The attraction between them is instant and electric.

Preps: Since seeing the bio of Coco Chanel in the same-titled movie, I have been eager to see more details on Chanel's life. Being impressed by the bio (watch it, it's really inspiring - especially for the ladies), I am truly looking forward to see it. Before going to Ljubljana LIFFE - the movie festivals this was one of my first choices.


Reality: The movie is indeed a small fragment of Coco Chanel's life. Because I have seen the Coco Chanel Movie before, I know that this feministic, strong, modern woman, used to be a fragile girl. The observer, only seeing this piece with Igor Stravinsky, cannot know that. Here she comes, with the great attitude, success and madly idea of entering Igor Stravinsky's life without any chance of something stepping in her way. I love this power, the energy she brings, and somehow, I hate it at the same time - she treads on everything that stands in her way, no matter the price or means. In a sense, with dedication she has built in her life, she might as well deserve it, that now other people are bowing to her, while in her younger years, it used to be more than vice versa.

The movie, however, in my opinion, is not really about Chanel's life. It's about getting something you want regardless the price. In this sense, ruining Igor Stravinsky's personal life in biblical sense and adding passion into his tunes just because of this romance they had in her house, while he is living there with his family. A sense of sickness evolves in my veins, as I watch this. Deception and misbehaviour in a true non-romantic aspect or in its pure version.

The miserable, yet strong position of Igor's wife at that moment, played beautifully and heart-taking, connects with my inner feelings about the situation. I can't imagine how it is moving into another person's house, where this person flirts with the husband and also is having sex sith him there, and still show a dignified face in the public.



It might be, that Stravinsky needed the romance to keep the flow in his artwork, but I also believe that the story implies, he really needs his wife. Not because of the children. But because she understands his work. Not just admires, is his best critic.

The behaviour of Igor, shown in the movie, reflects the lack of energy in a male person, not being able to decide what he wants and when he wants him. Igor fails in recognizing values or is recognizing values that aren't there. It all reflects as a dirty trick a woman performed in a man. And yet, the final scenes show, that he really did care for her even when he was really old, and she remains alone, after playing with everyone in her life.




In my opinion, a superb fragmental show of piece of Coco's life.

My personal rating: 8,5 (truly enjoyable, yet a true drama. It will inspire women to be more decisive, and make some men think about the virtues ;))




p.s.: IMDB peak: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1023441/