Review of Irma Vep (1996) by Mikael K — 17 Dec 2010
Maggie Cheung plays Maggie Cheung, cast as the notorious Irma Vep in a remake of Feuillade's 'Les Vampires'. Working on a French movie but not speaking the language, she finds herself working dilligently on a film with a depressed has-been director and a feuding crew.
At night she has strange dreams that she really is Irma Vep. Assayas film is partly a compelling look at the filmmaking process, but also a commentary on French society and, in particular French film.
At one stage a journalist questions why such films are made when audiences want to see the latest John Woo movie or something with Arnold Schwarzenegger, while some of the crew wonder if a remake is worthwhile.
When the original director is replaced, the new one muses on how appropriate it is to cast a Chinese actress in such a French role. Overall this is an interesting meditation on the nature of cinema, with a particular focus on the concept of a national cinema.
This review of Irma Vep (1996) was written by Mikael K on 17 Dec 2010.
Irma Vep has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
