Directed by Jan Kouen, Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky is a French biopic based on the true story of Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky. It is inspired by Chris Greenhalgh's novel Coco & Igor and he wrote the film's screenplay as well. In 2009, it was highly acclaimed at both the Cannes and Toronto International Film Festivals and was even chosen as the closing film at Cannes. It is an "unofficial" sequel to Anne Fontaine's Coco Before Chanel starring Audrey Tautou.

In 1913, French fashion designer Coco Chanel (Anna Mouglalis) attends the opening night of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky's (Mads Mikkelsen) ballet The Rite of Spring in Paris. A riot ensues when the traditional audience becomes appalled by the score's complex rhythmic dissonance and Vaslav Nijinsky's (Marek Kossakowski) radical choreography, finding The Rite of Spring an insult to structural classical music and ballet. Meanwhile, Coco is amongst the minority who find the performance profound, admiring the modernistic future of both music and dance.

Unfortunately, the world is not ready for Igor's genius. World War I comes and the Bolsheviks ravage his wealth. The penniless Igor flees Russia with his wife Katarina (Yelena Morozova) and children Milena (Clara Guelblum), Teodor (Maxime Daniélou), Ludmila (Sophie Hasson) and Sulima (Nikita Ponomarenko).

In Paris 1920, Sergei Diaghilev (Grigori Manukov), the impresario of Ballets Russes, holds a dinner party where Igor and Coco formally meet for the very first time. Coco is a wealthy modern couturier, who is mourning the devastating death of her lover Captain Arthur Edward 'Boy' Capel (Anatole Taubman) in an auto accident. Despite that, she has not forgotten The Rite of Spring seven years ago and there is a spark of attraction between the two. A proto-feminist of her time, Coco recognizes the creative genius of Igor and invites him and his family to stay at the Bel Respiro villa in Garches so he can continue his work.

Soon after, a love affair begins between Coco and Igor. Igor admires her sensually independent and feminist style, a refreshing change from most traditional women during that time period. Coco's interest in him and his music ignites a more liberated and passionate style in his musical compositions. Complementing his creative surge, Coco embarks on a search with her perfumer Ernest Beaux (Nicolas Vaude) to create the "Chanel" perfume, that will become the famous Chanel No. 5.

However, Katarina is not blind to the affair. Ill from consumption, she silently endures as Igor refuses to leave Bel Respiro. A plea to Coco falls on deaf ears as Coco has no moral guilt. It is until Katarina expresses her fear of her own inevitable death to Igor that the affair comes to a halt. Unable to accept rejection from a suddenly guilt-ridden Igor, Coco becomes distant. Conflicted by his feelings for Coco, he becomes incensed and bursts of rage create an unbearable tension in Bel Respiro. Insufferable for both Katarina and her children, they leave and a touching letter to Coco leads to the abrupt end of her love affair with Igor. However brief, it is never forgotten.

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky is a visual and musical pièce de résistance, honoring both twentieth century's artistic pioneers. Individually, Anna Mouglalis and Mads Mikkelsen offer stunning performances. Mouglalis titillates both the on-screen and off-screen audience with her sensuality and excellent portrayal of Coco's untethered feminist direction that enthralls men, leaving them stunned. Mikkelsen's equally commanding performance as Igor is intense and expressive. However, Coco and Igor's love affair falls short on fervor. Although there is nudity in the love scenes between the two, they are tepid at best. The focus of the passion between the two is in the affective ebb and flow of each trill, chord and cadence. The masterful score is splendidly dominated by many of Igor Stravinsky's masterpieces. The set and costume designs are aesthetically successful and captures the essence of Chanel. Several original pieces from the House of Chanel were generously given to the production. Chanel's current chief designer Karl Lagerfeld lent his support and helped to create some of the costumes. It is a must-see film that will captivate lovers of both Chanel fashion and Stravinsky's music.

Language: French with optional English and French subtitles

Special Features:

• The Making of Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

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