Angelina Jolie stars as Maxine in Couture, a drama directed by Alice Winocour that is arriving in Italian cinemas on August 26 through Plaion Pictures. The film follows an American director during Paris Fashion Week who receives a breast cancer diagnosis, anchoring a story of female solidarity and vulnerability.
The Bottom Line
- The Release: Couture hits Italian theaters on August 26, distributed by Plaion Pictures, following festival appearances at the Rome Film Fest and the Toronto International Film Festival.
- The Cast: Angelina Jolie leads alongside Louis Garrel, Vincent Lindon, Ella Rumpf, and newcomer Anyier Anei.
- The Access: The production marked a rare cinematic milestone by filming inside Chanel’s historic Parisian atelier.
Inside the High-Fashion Drama of Couture
Directed by Alice Winocour—who spent a full year embedding herself within the world of fashion ateliers, fitting rooms, and runways—Couture uses the high-stakes backdrop of Paris Fashion Week to examine what happens when polished appearances crack. Winocour set out to capture the invisible labor behind the representation of femininity, focusing on the unseen hands of seamstresses, makeup artists, and models. The title itself translates to sewing or stitching, serving as a direct metaphor for women attempting to mend inner emotional wounds within an unforgiving industry.
Angelina Jolie stars as Maxine, an American director facing a breast cancer diagnosis amid the chaos of fashion week. According to iO Donna, the project represents the most personal role of Jolie’s career, mirroring her own public advocacy and choices regarding oncological prevention. Jolie reflected on the connection, stating, “The film doesn’t speak of an end for my character, but of a renewed desire to live life to the very last breath,” adding that she feels this concept very close to her own current life phase. Jolie also serves as a producer on the film.
| Project Detail | Production Fact |
|---|---|
| Director | Alice Winocour |
| Lead Cast | Angelina Jolie, Louis Garrel, Vincent Lindon, Ella Rumpf, Anyier Anei |
| Italian Distributor | Plaion Pictures |
| Theatrical Release Date | August 26 |
Unprecedented Access to Chanel’s Historic Atelier
To establish visual authenticity, Maison Chanel opened the doors of its legendary Parisian headquarters to Winocour’s crew in an exceptional, rare gesture. The production utilized the actual working tailoring rooms and the iconic Art Déco mirrored staircase once used by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel to watch runway presentations undetected. Watching Jolie ascend those famous mirrored steps grounds the cinematic fiction in real fashion history.
The ensemble surrounding Jolie brings together heavyweights and fresh faces alike. Louis Garrel, recognized for Forever Young and Le deuxième acte, and Vincent Lindon—who earned a Volpi Cup for Noi e Loro—co-star alongside Ella Rumpf, winner of the César Award for Best Female Revelation for Il teorema di Margherita. Meanwhile, the film introduces Sudanese model and activist Anyier Anei in her feature film debut as Ada, a young model attempting to rebuild her life after overcoming a difficult past.
Theatrical Strategy and Festival Run
Before arriving in commercial cinemas, Couture built critical momentum through the festival circuit, securing slots at both the Rome Film Fest and the official selection at TIFF in Toronto. No SVOD release on platforms like Netflix or Prime Video has been announced, positioning the film entirely around traditional cinema attendance as it opens to Italian audiences this week.
