Cannes Hot Title ‘Corsage’ Director Marie Kreutzer and Star Vicky Krieps on Women in the Public Eye

variety.com:

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorWhen filmmaker Marie Kreutzer was writing “Corsage,” which chronicles a critical period in the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as “Sissi,” she had in mind the experience of other women in the public eye, in particular Princess Diana and Meghan Markle.

In recent weeks, she has been mulling the treatment of Amber Heard as well. “Corsage,” which world premiered recently at the Cannes Film Festival in Un Certain Regard, and has become one of the event’s hottest titles, starts in 1877 when Elisabeth – renowned for her beauty – is celebrating her 40th birthday.

We see Sissi – played by Vicky Krieps – insisting that her corset is laced ever tighter, and restricting what she eats to make that so.

It is a metaphor for how she is constrained by the expectations of society – limited to merely ceremonial duties, despite her intelligence, lust for life and rebellious spirit.