Coralie Fargeat, the visionary behind the film The Substance, serves as director, writer, editor, and co-producer, achieving over $50 million at the global box office. This French production, filmed in France with a Hollywood cast, bridges cultures by utilizing English to secure international support. Fargeat, an advocate for women’s rights, withdrew her film from a festival in protest against misogynistic remarks. Influenced by her grandfather, she aims to reshape modern cinema with powerful narratives.
Coralie Fargeat: The Visionary Behind The Substance
At the heart of the exhilarating film The Substance is a remarkable woman: Coralie Fargeat. Not only did she direct this captivating project, but she also took on the roles of writer, editor, and co-producer. As of now, her film has achieved a staggering global box office gross of over 50 million dollars, tripling its initial budget. This accomplishment marks one of the most significant triumphs for a French woman in the international film scene.
Indeed, she proudly represents France! Despite featuring a Hollywood cast, The Substance was crafted by a talented French team, and all filming occurred in France. The storyline, set in Los Angeles, was shot in various locations, with outdoor scenes captured on the vibrant streets of Cannes.
Bridging Languages and Cultures
So why choose to create a film in English? For Coralie Fargeat, it was simply a matter of practicality. It allowed her to bring her vision to life more effectively, similar to her approach in her debut feature, Revenge. In an interview with Mad Movies, she elaborated on her decision: “The journey to secure financing was quite challenging. Ultimately, blending English and French helped us achieve a configuration that preserved our French heritage while attracting essential international partners.”
Coralie’s impressive journey in cinema began with an internship on an American film set in France, leading her to work as a second assistant director. Her first foray into directing was a short film, Le Télégramme, in 2003, which gained recognition at festivals and was acquired by France 2. In 2014, she further showcased her talent with Reality+, a science fiction short that aligned with her artistic preferences.
Interestingly, before diving into the world of horror and suspense, Coralie Fargeat co-created a children’s program called Les Fées cloches, which aired on TF1 in 2007. In this charming series, she portrayed a fairy named Pata, a stark contrast to her current blood-soaked narratives. This unexpected background has sparked laughter among fans on social media, appreciating her diverse career path.
A Strong Advocate for Women’s Rights
Coralie Fargeat’s films reflect her commitment to advocating for women’s rights and freedoms. She is not shy about addressing these issues in interviews and through her work. Recently, she made headlines by withdrawing The Substance from the Camerimage festival in Poland due to misogynistic comments made by the director Marek Żydowicz. He suggested that increasing the visibility of female filmmakers could lead to more ‘mediocre films.’ Despite an apology from the organizer, Fargeat chose to stand firm in her values, echoing sentiments shared by director Steve McQueen.
On Instagram, she stated, “The Substance is about the repercussions of such attitudes in our society. We can no longer accept them.” Her film’s success is a testament to her dedication, as many women have reached out to express their gratitude, sharing how they feel represented in her work. “I wish I had this film when I was younger,” she recounted, highlighting the impact her storytelling has on audiences.
Coralie’s love for cinema was ignited by her grandfather, who introduced her to films that were considered taboo in her household. This early exposure to genre cinema, especially science fiction, sparked her imagination. One of her earliest cinematic revelations was George Lucas’s original Star Wars, which opened her eyes to the possibilities of storytelling. “These films transported me to worlds that evoked a myriad of emotions and explored profound themes,” she reflected.
Discover Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance in theaters and experience the brilliance of a filmmaker who continues to reshape the landscape of modern cinema.