The Cinematologists return to the Garden Cinema to screen and discuss Oliver Assayas's comedy-drama Irma Vep (1996). Starring the ethereally stunning Maggie Cheung as a fictionalised version of herself, Assayas work is a reflexive satire of the film industry, particularly the idiosyncrasies of France's self-importance as a nation defined by cinema.
Comparisons with the recently released TV version starring Alicia Vikander in the title role, were always going to be made. For the Q&A Dario is joined by guest co-host Dr Catherine Wheatley, film academic from Kings College London, who recently reviewed the TV show for Sight and Sound calling a "glorious, gluttonous, nonsensical delight: a cinephile fantasy made flesh."
Come and enjoy the original with conversation that is bound to delve into questions of the essence of movie magic, and whether that translates to television.
To listen to The Cinematologists for free go to www.cinematologists.com or search The Cinematologists on your podcast app of choice.
Cast:
Maggie Cheung, Jean-Pierre Léaud, Nathalie Richard, Antoine Basler