Mubi has acquired worldwide rights to “Making Marie Antoinette,” a documentary featuring roughly 80 hours of previously unseen footage from the set of Sofia Coppola’s film. The project, which marks the 20th anniversary of the production, uses archival material shot by Eleanor Coppola at the Palace of Versailles to offer an intimate look at the filmmaker’s process and her relationship with her daughter, according to the official announcement.
How Was the Documentary Created?
The film was assembled to fulfill Eleanor Coppola’s wish to transform her behind-the-scenes footage into a feature-length documentary. According to Sofia Coppola, the mother-daughter duo began reviewing the extensive archives during lockdown. The resulting documentary was edited by Aaron Matthews, with input from Eleanor Coppola’s close friends Davia Nelson and Liz Bird. To bridge the narrative, the project features narration by Diane Lane, who voices journal entries written by the late filmmaker Eleanor Coppola during the 2005 production.
Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette” became the first film production ever granted permission to shoot at the Palace of Versailles in 2005.
Why Does the Archival Format Resonate With Audiences?
The documentary serves as a dual portrait: an examination of the technical craftsmanship behind a period film and a personal look at a mother-daughter relationship. Lorenzo Mieli of Our Films noted that Eleanor Coppola’s legacy as a documentarian—most notably her work on “Hearts of Darkness”—provided the project its emotional and cinematic force. By focusing on the candid, unscripted moments of the 2005 shoot, the film highlights the experience of a young female director mounting a daring period film on a grand scale, a theme Mubi Founder and CEO Efe Cakarel described as “incredibly moving.”
What Is the Future of Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries?
When studying the evolution of cinema, compare behind-the-scenes documentaries from the early 2000s to modern releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who narrates “Making Marie Antoinette”?
The documentary features Diane Lane reading journal entries written by Eleanor Coppola. - Where was the original film shot?
“Marie Antoinette” was filmed at the Palace of Versailles in 2005. - Who produced the documentary?
The production team includes Lorenzo Mieli, Mario Gianani, Rachel Dengiz, Youree Henley, and Sofia Coppola. - When will the documentary be released?
Mubi has stated that release plans will be announced in the near future.
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