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
Arts Intel Report
20th Anniversary "Marie Antoinette" by Sofia Coppola
Kirsten Dunst on the set of Marie Antoinette.
When
Sept 22, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027
Where
Etc
Courtesy of Versailles / © Photograph by Sofia Coppola