COUTURE (2026)

June 26, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” It’s a famous adage that easily could continue with ‘through no fault of their own’ … and as it pertains to writer-director Alice Winocour’s (MUSTANG, 2015) latest film, the adage applies specifically the women. For a film based on Fashion Week in Paris, we get a rare glimpse inside the Chanel showroom. More importantly we get a feel for the stress and pressure being carried by those involved.

Oscar winner Angelina Jolie stars as Maxine Walker, an American director of indie horror films on the verge of her big break. She’s been invited to create a short film that will open the show just prior to the models taking the runway. Chosen to star in the film and be first on the runway is this year’s big new arrival, rookie model/actor Ada (real life model Anyier Anei in her debut film role). The striking Ada is from Sudan by way of Kenya. Another character we are keyed on is French make-up artist Angele (Ella Rumpf, RAW, 2016), who maintains a helpful approach, despite often being taken advantage of.

Ada has skipped Pharmacy School and kept the secret from her father as she pursues this possible career change. Angele is working diligently to be a writer, despite the harsh criticism from a older male editor who tells her, “Just because they (the stories) are real doesn’t make them interesting.” Maxine is dealing long-distance with her teenage daughter while also going through the legalities and emotions of a divorce. All three working women have men making their dreams more challenging to reach. Maxine has it even worse when a doctor hits her with the results of a biopsy. This seems especially pertinent since Ms. Jolie underwent a preventive mastectomy and lost her mother to breast cancer.

Other characters involved here include Ukrainian Christine (Garance Marillier, RAW, 2016), an anxious seamstress working on her first solo dress for the show; Anton (an underutilized Louis Garrel, LITTLE WOMEN, 2019) as Maxine’s oft-frustrated cinematographer; and two French acting legends, Vincent Lindon as Maxine’s Doctor Hansen and Aurore Clement as a woman she meets in the hospital waiting room. There are many other near-connections, and that’s probably the film’s greatest flaw. So many of these characters could provide an interesting story, yet it feels like most get shortchanged. The film’s messages come across quite clearly: Fashion Week is built upon the work of many women, and those women all overcome obstacles to complete their work.

In theaters beginning June 26, 2026

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

MUSTANG (France, 2015)

January 31, 2016

mustang Greetings again from the darkness. Writer/director Deniz Gamze Erguven admits to being inspired by Sophia Coppola’s 1999 The Virgin Suicides (though this is not a remake), and by offering us a rare glimpse into the lives of five sisters in a rural community in Turkey, it’s clear why the film has been so well received at film festivals – culminating in an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. It’s a bit confusing that the film is credited to France (Ms. Erguven’s current place of residence) as it takes place in Turkey and is performed in Turkish. But of course, country of origin is a minor ripple in this year’s uproar over diversity at the Oscars.

Not being any type of expert in Turkey culture or customs, I must accept that the insights provided by Ms. Erguven and her co-writer Alice Winocour are somewhat accurate, which makes the balance between the tradition of female oppression and the amazing spirit of the girls so relatable for many. What begins as a seemingly harmless game of chicken the girls play with some classmates (boys) on the way home after the semester’s last day of classes, turns into a series of events that most will find absolutely unacceptable. The shame brought to the family and the threat of the girls being “spoiled” highlights the extreme reactions from their grandmother (Nihal G Koldas) and Uncle Erol (Ayberk Pekcan).

Lale (Gunes Sensoy) is the youngest of the sisters and in the end proves to be the toughest and most independent. And that’s really saying something. We take in much of what happens through Lale’s expressive eyes, and we as viewers long for reasonableness to enter their lives. After being what can only be described as imprisoned in their own home, the spirit of the girls collectively and individually becomes clear. They find ways, small and large, to rebel … but it’s soon enough clear that the mission is to marry the girls off before it’s too late (there’s that “spoiled” thing again).

As Lale witnesses what her older sisters are subjected to, and how happiness or their own wishes play no role, she becomes more determined to avoid such destiny. With skewed perspective, one might make the argument that Grandmother and Uncle are doing what they think is in the long term best interests of the girls, but the Uncle’s despicable actions void any such thought. Instead we are left to marvel at the strength and spirit of the girls in world that holds them in such low regard as individuals.

Lale’s sisters are Sonay (Ilayda Akdogan), Nur (Doga Zeynep Doguslu), Selma (Tugba Sunguroglu) and Ece (Elit Iscan). The girls are so natural together that we never doubt their sisterly bond. They argue like sisters, defend each other as sisters, and play together like sisters … were it not for their isolated existence, their bond would be a joy to behold. The cinematography throughout the film adds to the discomfort and dread we feel, and the acting is naturalistic and believable.  In the end, it’s the unbridled freedom of the titular creature that Lale defiantly embraces … whatever the consequences may be.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson