Remember when we dished about the controversy behind two reported biopics on Yves Saint Laurent? If not, let me briefly refresh your memory on the drama.
Last month, the film Yves Saint Laurent, directed by Jahlil Lespert, made its highly anticipated debut. This insightful film focused on the iconic designer’s appointment as head designer at Christian Dior in 1957 and his budding relationship with longtime partner Pierre Bergé. Bergé reportedly showed full support for Lespert’s film, which granted the director access to a vast array of authentic, fabulous YSL archived designs.
The above trailer, however, is for a different film called Saint Laurent, of which Bergé absolutely did NOT approve. This film was directed by Bertrand Bonello and focuses on more scandalous elements of the designer’s career and personal life from 1965 to 1976. Not only did Bergé publicly disapprove of Bonello’s film, but he also tried to cease all production efforts with lawsuit threats and restriction from YSL archives. It was an absolute mess all over the European tabloids.
Well, Bonello’s film was obviously produced and I can’t deny that the trailer is super juicy! I did watch Lespert’s film, which definitely paid more attention to the man and his craft and, not to mention, also kindly included English subtitles. Although I thought that I would be biased towards Lespert’s version because of the authentic fashions and support from Bergé himself, this trailer looked so entertaining without even one word of English! Bonello definitely went for more flash, which included the casting of well-known, award-winning French models and actors, but the film still looks very well done.
I might need a translator, but I will definitely be looking out for this film. What do you think of the trailer?