Irma Vep (1996)

A Hong Kong action star (Maggie Cheung), who doesn't speak any French, arrives in Paris to make an updated version of Louis Feuillade's silent serial LES VAMPIRES. But things go wrong from the very start of production and eventual chaos ensues. Directed by Olivier Assayas (CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA), this experimental film questions the contemporary state of French cinema as art and commercialism clash while the camera's eye lovingly caresses Maggie Cheung playing Maggie Cheung or at least a version of herself. But as wonderful as she is (which is pretty wonderful), Cheung is not the whole movie. Nathalie Richard as a lesbian costume designer provides some of the film's best moments while Jean Pierre Leaud as an admired but complicated director frustrated with the film and Lou Castel as the hack who eventually replaces him furnish two contrasting views of film makers. Its freewheeling improvisatory feel (though the film is scripted) may be off putting to some but the dividends are worth it. With Bulle Ogier, Nathalie Boutefeu, Dominique Faysse and Antoine Bassier.