Portraying Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette in a unique light poses a challenge, as evidenced by their frequent cinematic depictions. In the film *Le Déluge*, stars Guillaume Canet and Mélanie Laurent explore the royal couple’s confinement before their executions. This historical drama offers a poignant view of their struggles, with notable transformations achieved through extensive makeup and costumes. Laurent’s portrayal of Marie-Antoinette emphasizes her fashion legacy, while Canet’s Louis XVI is characterized by vulnerability. The film is set for release on December 25.
How can one portray Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette in an extraordinary manner? This challenge is far from straightforward. The royal couple has graced the silver screen numerous times, with Louis XVI depicted in twenty-six films and Marie-Antoinette over forty, brought to life by actresses like Kirsten Dunst, Diane Kruger, and Ursula Andress.
In the recent film Le Déluge, directed by Gianluca Jodice and showcased at the Locarno Festival last August, stars Guillaume Canet and Mélanie Laurent tackled a lesser-known chapter of history: the royal family’s confinement in the Temple Tower leading up to their tragic executions at Place de la Concorde.
This historical drama presents a rare glimpse into the lives of France’s last monarchs. Louis XVI is depicted in a more pitiful and fragile light than ever, while Marie-Antoinette is portrayed with unprecedented depth and authenticity.
‘We didn’t even need to reference other works because the script begins where others have ended’, Mélanie Laurent remarks. ‘For once, there are no opulent Versailles settings’, Guillaume Canet adds. ‘There’s no court, no entourage—just the two of them, separated from their loved ones.’
Transformations with a Fat Suit and Prosthetics
On screen, the transformation of the two actors is striking. Guillaume Canet dons a fat suit—a specially padded costume—along with facial prosthetics. ‘Initially, it was quite daunting’, he confesses. ‘I worried that I wouldn’t be able to express myself or would feel concealed beneath the mask.’
Each day, the actor underwent four hours of makeup to embody Louis XVI, followed by an hour and a half for removal at day’s end. The heat from the multiple layers of his costume added to the challenge. ‘We had a meticulous costume designer,’ shares Mélanie Laurent, ‘who ensured every detail, even the parts we couldn’t see, was accounted for.’
Layers of History
In total, Mélanie Laurent wore nearly ten layers of clothing for her role. This included three nightgowns, a corset, a skirt, a crinoline, a petticoat, another silk skirt, and two additional layers. The most challenging aspect for her was maintaining balance due to the weight of the elaborate wig.
‘Marie-Antoinette was renowned for revolutionizing fashion,’ she explains. ‘She created extravagant wig designs, even altering the door sizes at Versailles to accommodate them. They were so grand that mice could hide within them.’
‘On set, the combination of the hat and wig, coupled with the corset, would cause my head to tilt,’ Mélanie Laurent describes. ‘It was quite heavy but also incredibly enjoyable.’ She concludes with a smile, ‘I adore period films; I wish I could do more.’
Interview conducted by Thomas Desroches, in Locarno, on August 8, 2024.
Don’t miss Le Déluge, hitting theaters this December 25!