Sofia Coppola premiered “Priscilla” at the prestigious Mostra de Venise, earning a standing ovation of seven minutes for her adaptation of the 1985 book “Elvis et moi” by Priscilla Presley. Starring Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley and Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley, the biopic explores the meeting of the two characters in Germany in 1959 when Priscilla was only 14 years old.
Priscilla and Elvis: an American myth
Despite a ten-year age difference and opposition from her parents, Priscilla developed an intimate bond with the musician during his military service. Their relationship became so strong that he convinced her to join him at Graceland in the summer of 1962. Their union resulted in the birth of Lisa Marie Presley. Although they married in May 1967, a divorce followed six years later in 1973.
Touched by the initial screening, Priscilla Presley expressed gratitude for Sofia Coppola’s directorial talent. She shared, “It’s very challenging to sit and watch a film that deals with your life, your love story. Sofia has done an exceptional job. She thoroughly studied our story; we had two interviews, and I tried to explain everything to her in detail and with the utmost clarity.”
Ten years apart: Priscilla and Elvis
During the pre-screening press conference, Priscilla also discussed the 10-year age gap with the singer: “It was very complicated for my parents to understand why Elvis could be so interested in me and why he was. I believe it’s because I was good at listening. Elvis confided in me completely in Germany: his fears, hopes, the loss of his mother – which he never accepted. And I was the person there for him, to listen and comfort him. That was our connection. Even though I was 14, I had experience – not in numbers. People think, ‘Oh, it was for sex.’ I never had a relationship with him (not before their marriage, according to her). He was very sweet, kind, loving, and he respected the fact that I was only 14,” she asserted.
A poignant biopic
In France, the film is set to release on October 27th. The narrative begins with “When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party. The man, already a blazing celebrity in rock-and-roll, turns out to be someone entirely unexpected in private moments: an enchanting lover, an ally in loneliness, a vulnerable best friend. Through Priscilla’s eyes, Sofia Coppola tells the hidden side of a great American myth: the long seduction of Elvis and Priscilla and their tumultuous marriage, from a German military base to their idyllic Graceland estate, in this emotionally detailed portrayal of love, fantasy, and fame.”
Sofia Coppola: a trail of success
This marks the eighth film for the director, her second with A24 production company. This new feature could earn Sofia Coppola her second Golden Lion, following “Somewhere” in 2010. Recognized as one of the most influential directors of her generation, Coppola’s work has paved the way for a new perspective in Hollywood cinema, emphasizing subtle storytelling and complex characters.
To stay true to the film’s era, the filmmaker drew profound inspiration from Priscilla Presley’s fashion style. Coppola captured her sensitive yet rock’n’roll elegance, paying homage to Hollywood’s golden age with details like winged eyeliner, lifted and voluminous hairstyles, and three-hole dresses.
Collaboration with Chanel
At Sofia Coppola’s request, Chanel, for which she serves as an ambassador, specially designed the wedding dress worn by Cailee Spaeny in the central wedding scene with Elvis. Inspired by Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2020 Haute Couture collection, the embroidered dress, veil, and tiara were crafted with expertise from the Haute Couture workshops and Métiers d’art. Other Chanel creations, including the iconic N°5 perfume, make appearances in the film, symbolizing the affirmation of Priscilla’s new femininity. The brand’s longstanding creative friendship with Sofia Coppola is evident, notably in collaborations showcasing the behind-the-scenes of fashion shows.