“JEANNE DU BARRY”, LOUIS XV’S FAVORITE
Cinema Writer/Film Critic Efe TEKSOY; wrote the biography, drama, and history film JEANNE DU BARRY”, for America’s Los Angeles-based Internet Newspaper @alaturkanews.
THE SCANDAL COUNTESS OF VERSAILLES
The opening film of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, “Jeanne du Barry“, is one of the most expensive French films of 2023 with a budget of 22.4 million dollars and is one of three French films with a budget exceeding 10 million euros. It is a co-production between France, Belgium and the United Kingdom film is about; the life of Jeanne Bécu who was born as the illegitimate daughter of an impoverished seamstress in 1743 and went on to rise through the Court of Louis XV to become his last official mistress. French star Maïwenn, who shares the leading role with the famous actor Johnny Depp; directed, co-wrote, and also co-produced the film. This period film, which is based on in-depth research and stands out with its script that took years to write, centers on the power struggles, scandals, and class conflicts of 18th-century France. When we look at it from a sociological perspective, we see that the Versailles environment that Jeanne du Barry enters symbolizes the class called “Elite Community” at the highest level of society.
STANLEY KUBRICK EFFECT
American sociologist C. Wright Mills’s sociology classic book “The Power Elite” is presented by the “International Sociological Association” as the 39th most important book written in the field of sociology throughout the twentieth century. This book, a classic of social science and social criticism, reveals the characteristics of the centers of power that rule the world. In the book; “The ruling elite consists of people who have the power to transcend the ordinary environments of usual and ordinary people, thanks to the opportunities and knowledge of life at their disposal. These people; are in a position to make decisions that lead to large and important consequences.” Sociologist Mills states that such people are in the command positions of the main organizations and hierarchies of modern society.
The director, who decided to use 35 mm film cameras to shoot a feature film for the first time in his career, used Stanley Kubrick’s cult film “Barry Lyndon” as a template for the atmosphere he wanted to achieve visually. Legendary director Stanley Kubrick refused to use spotlights on the grounds that it would look artificial and created a revolution in cinema by using natural light throughout the film and candlelight for interior shots. While watching the movie “Jeanne du Barry”, you can easily see the Kubrick influence (especially in the interior shots). Another detail is that the subtext of the story is brought together with the classic fairy tale “Cinderella”. The rise of “Jean du Barry” increases the competition between women in the palace and causes conflicts. The rise of “Jean du Barry” increases the competition between women in the palace and causes conflicts. Here we see that; of Louis XV. Their daughters are depicted as “The ugly stepsisters” in the fairy tale Cinderella.
Stars; Maïwenn, Johnny Depp, Benjamin Lavernhe, Melvil Poupaud, Robin Renucci, Pierre Richard, Marianne Basler, Pascal Greggory, Caroline Chaniolleau and India Hair.
DREAM COSTUMES
In the film, we travel to 18th-century France, where extravagance reigned, and we are greeted by the most extravagant and at the same time most elegant period of Versailles. A “Dream Team” was established in the Art Department to provide this sumptuous visual, especially where costumes and decorations are at the forefront. This team of fashion experts to create the costumes, hair, and make-up of the Countess du Barry included costume designer Jürgen Doering, a veteran of fashion houses that include famous fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Guy Laroche, and Yves Saint Laurent. The team was joined by John Nollet, one of Paris’ most famous celebrity hairstylists combined. (Hairdresser of celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Monica Bellucci, Vanessa Paradis, Uma Thurman, Juliette Binoche and Sandrine Kiberlain) and Tom Pecheux, Global Beauty Director of Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, participated as the make-up artist.
DIAMOND JEWELRIES
Producer Maïwenn collaborated with French fashion designer Virginie Viard, who serves as Chanel’s creative director and worked on several docs, including 18th-century-inspired Chanel pieces. The hats worn by Countess Jeanne du Barry were created by Maison Michel, founded in Paris and heir to decades of expertise dating back to the 14th century. In addition, Chanel Fashion House, which is known as the special partner of the film, used unique pieces from High Jewelry, inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s universe and crafted with extraordinary expertise. In addition, Chanel Fashion House, which is known as the special partner of the film, used unique pieces from High Jewelry, inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s universe and crafted with extraordinary expertise. Another detail is, Jeanne du Barry (actress Maïwenn), King Louis XV In the scene where she is presented to Louis, she wears a reprint of the Fringes CHANEL Haute Joaillerie necklace, one of the most symbolic sets of the “Jewelry with Diamonds” collection created by Mademoiselle Chanel in 1932. Additionally, the brand’s Parfums-Beauté series was featured in the makeup of the main actors.
JEANNE DU BARRY
The film, which was applauded for 7 minutes at the 2023 Cannes Festival, is the first production in which Johnny Depp speaks entirely in French. The shooting of the film took place partly at the Château de Versailles (the actual location of the story). But because the restrictions were too limiting: the filmmakers could only shoot outdoors on Mondays (when the castle is closed to the public) and only outside of the palace. That’s why Candles could never be used because they could damage the spaces in the Royal Chapel, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Hall of Hercules. For this reason, several rooms were built in a studio as a film set, and it was much easier to shoot scenes with this way of lighting without time constraints.
The movie “Jeanne du Barry” reveals Maïwenn’s mastery as a director and creates an unforgettable production. The production, which is in the genre of biography and history, is an impressive drama film that will take you to the sumptuous and ostentatious world of 18th-century France.
EFE TEKSOY
REFERENCES AND SOURCES
MILLS. C. Wright. The Power Elite (İktidar Seçkinleri), Unsal Oskay, translate, ıstanbul: Inkilap Kitabevi Yayın Sanayi ve Ticaret As Press, 2021
https://www.zoemagazine.net/191433-partnership-of-chanel-with-the-film-jeanne-du-barry/
https://www.harpersbazaararabia.com/culture/entertainment/jeanne-du-barry-costumes-chanel
