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Arts Intel Report

20th Anniversary "Marie Antoinette" by Sofia Coppola

Kirsten Dunst on the set of Marie Antoinette.

Sept 22, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027
Château de, Le Petit Trianon, 78000 Versailles, France, France

When Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette premiered at Cannes in 2006, it received resounding boos from the audience. Critics called it “superficial, capricious and frivolous” because instead of a traditional period piece they were met with Kirsten Dunst, playful and seductive as the young queen, and a soundtrack that went from The Strokes to New Order. “I felt like Marie Antoinette had a rebellious spirit, so we could approach the film in the same way,” Coppola told Art Basel. Two decades on, the film has gained a cult following. Coppola’s lavish yet grounded portrayal of Marie Antoinette’s disillusionment earned it a place in the hearts of teenage girls. “We weren’t making a documentary,” she said. “Emotion was more important.” As the film marks its 20th anniversary, Coppola brings the candy-pink world she crafted back to Versailles. A new exhibition at the palace transforms bedchambers and parlors to the mise-en-scènes seen in the film, and features Milena Canonero’s costumes, scripts, and design sketches. A documentary, an illustrated book, and a theatrical re-release round out the anniversary celebration. —Maggie Turner

Courtesy of Versailles / © Photograph by Sofia Coppola