Coco Before Chanel is the story of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who began her life as headstrong orphan, and through an extraordinary journey became the legendary couturier who embodied the modern woman and became a timeless symbol of success, freedom and style. The film portrays the formative years of Chanel’s life, the years of Chanel spent discovering and inventing herself.

Coco Before Chanel is directed by Anne Fontaine (La Fille de Monaco/The Girl From Monaco) from a screenplay by Anne Fontaine and Camille Fontaine, with collaboration of Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liaisons), loosely based on L’irrégulière (Chanel and Her World: Friends, Fashion, and Fame) by Edmonde Charles-Roux. The film is produced by Philippe Carcassonne (La Fille De Monaco/The Girl Class) and Carole Scotta (Entre les murs/The Class).

The director of photography is Christophe Beaucarne (Paris, Paint or Make Love); the production designer is Olivier Radot (The Lover, Queen Margot, Gabrielle). The film is edited by Luc Barnier, with original costumes by Catherine Letterier (Cesar Award winner for Bon Voyage and the Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc). Alexandre Desplat (Academy Award nominee for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Queen) composed the score.

The production was given the support of the Maison CHANEL, who opened their archives and collections.

Movie Facts

Sony Pictures Classics
Release Date: September 25th, 2009
Running Time: 110 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
Official Film Site: www.sonyclassics.com/cocobeforechanel
Cast: Audrey Tautou, Benoit Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola, Marie Gillain, and Emmanuelle Devos

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