French series broadcast on Disney+ since June 7, “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” traces the youth of the German designer in the 1970s. Karl Lagerfeld, played by Daniel Brühl, is presented as a sensitive and reserved man, far from the image that the general public has it.
In 1972, the young Karl Lagerfeld (Daniel Brühl) worked in ready-to-wear for the Chloé house, managed by Gaby Aghion (Agnès Jaoui). He lives with his mother (Lisa Kreuzer), an austere woman. Introverted, reserved and ultra-sensitive, the young man is also jealous of Yves Saint Laurent (Arnaud Valois) who is then at the top of his career. He will have to build himself and climb the ladder alone.
A biographical series
“Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” is a French series created by three women, the screenwriters Isaure Pisani-Ferry and Jennifer Have as well as the journalist Raphaëlle Bacqué, author of the biography “Kaiser Karl”. The series is largely inspired by this book published in 2019 by Albin Michel. On the production side, Audrey Estrougo (“Suprêmes”, “A la Folie”) and Jérôme Salle (“Anthony Zimmer”, “Largo Winch”) are in charge.
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“Becoming Karl Lagerfeld”, lasting six episodes, takes place in the 1970s. German-Spanish actor Daniel Brühl (“Inglorious Basterds”, “Good Bye, Lenin!”) has the difficult task of playing Karl Lagerfeld in his youth. To prepare for this role, he explained in the media that he had studied in particular the approach of the German stylist, similar according to him to that of “a matador, a mixture of masculinity and femininity”. He also read several books and met people close to the stylist.
A fictionalized version of the life of the German fashion designer
The romantic, toxic and complex relationship between Karl Lagerfeld and the dandy Jacques de Bascher occupies a large place in the series. Perhaps a little too big for Crystel Di Marzo, series columnist on Couleur 3. In the Superflux show on June 14, she explains that this “toxic, almost destructive relationship is dissected in detail. Besides, we are more sure a love drama rather than a professional rise. It’s a very intimate, very passionate series, but I would have preferred to see more artistic creation.”
However, “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” shows another side of the life and personality of the German fashion designer. “In this young and certainly fictionalized version, Karl Lagerfeld appears endearing and moving,” continues Crystel Di Marzo. “The approach is relevant, but perhaps a little long and a little weak at times. Four episodes instead of six would certainly have been enough and would have energized the subject a little more.”
Radio subject: Crystel Di Marzo
Web adaptation: Myriam Semaani
“Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” by Jérôme Salle and Audrey Estrougo, with Daniel Brühl, Alex Lutz, Théodore Pellerin. To be seen on Disney+ since June 7, 2024.
