Irma Vep

"A Latex Comedy"

1996 1h 39m FR

👍

6.7

SOLID

★6.7TMDB · 259

ComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A has-been French filmmaker wants a Hong Kong actress to be the heroine in a rendering of Les Vampires.

“A Latex Comedy”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Maggie Cheung
Maggie
Jean-Pierre Léaud
René Vidal
Nathalie Richard
Zoé
Antoine Basler
Journalist
Nathalie Boutefeu
Laure
Alex Descas
Desormeaux
Dominique Faysse
Maïté
Arsinée Khanjian
L'américaine

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Olivier Assayas
Writers: Olivier Assayas
Languages: English, French
Countries: France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

30 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, French.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Olivier Assayas, shot by Éric Gautier. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Philippe Richard. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Luc Barnier shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Maggie Cheung and Jean-Pierre Léaud and Nathalie Richard carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "A Latex Comedy".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0116650 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Olivier Assayas directs. Éric Gautier behind the camera. Philippe Richard scores. Luc Barnier cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France. Dialogue in English, French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

130 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, French.
3Directed by Olivier Assayas, shot by Éric Gautier. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Philippe Richard. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Luc Barnier shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Maggie Cheung and Jean-Pierre Léaud and Nathalie Richard carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "A Latex Comedy".
8IMDB entry: tt0116650 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Éric Gautier
Original score: Philippe Richard
Editing: Luc Barnier
Production design: François-Renaud Labarthe
Costume design: Françoise Clavel
Makeup / hair: Nancy Tong
Sound: William Flageollet
Runtime: 99 min · 1h 39m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: FR
Certification (US): NR
IMDB: Irma Vep (1996)

Also by

Olivier Assayas

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Community reviews

What people are saying

JPV8522021-04-06
★ 8/10
I'm not exactly steeped on French cinema, let alone 1990s French cinema this apparently targets, but still highly enjoyed this surreal drama with some good direction and fine performances from Maggie Cheung playing a version of herself and Nathalie Richard. Some interesting scenes, especially one at a dinner and another with Cheung sneaking around her hotel in a catsuit. Don't quite understand it all but still thoroughly found it entertaining. 4.0/5

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