Arte offers this evening a modern and intimate rereading of the life of Empress Sissi with “Corsage”, directed by Marie Kreutzer. Carried by the exceptional performance of Vicky Krieps, this film explores the torments of a woman in search of freedom and identity in an oppressive society.
Corsage: a modern rereading of Empress Sissi
The movie Corsage by Marie Kreutzer released in cinemas in 2022, offers a new and contemporary vision of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known under the nickname Sissi. Far from the romantic representations immortalized by Romy Schneider, this intimate drama explores the torments of a woman locked in the shackles of her time and her role as empress.
The film focuses on a particular period in Sissi's life: the year 1877, when she celebrated her 40th birthday. In a society where youth and beauty are essential attributes for women of power, the empress, in the grip of an existential crisis, begins to question your role. Elizabeth is no longer satisfied with the appearances imposed by the court of Vienna. Behind her tight corsets and sumptuous dresses, she seeks a freedom that seems inaccessible.
Marie Kreutzer dusts off the myth of Sissi, often perceived as frozen in idealized stories. With a modern approach, the director makes the empress a complex, rebellious and deeply human woman. Social pressures, loneliness and aging become universal themes that still resonate today.
A masterful performance from Vicky Krieps
At the heart of Corsage is the masterful interpretation of Vicky Krieps, who embodies a tormented Elizabeth of Austria but determined to free herself from the constraints of her time. Already noted for her roles in Phantom Thread, Bergman Island or more recently The Three Musketeersthe Luxembourg actress delivers a subtle performance here, combining fragility and power. She manages to humanize a historical figure often reduced to her beauty and her imperial status.
Presented at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival in the section Un Certain Regard, Corsage was praised by critics, largely thanks to the depth and modernity instilled by Vicky Krieps. Far from simply reinterpreting an iconic role, she makes Sissi a woman ahead of her time, torn between her personal desires and the oppressive expectations of those around her.
The production of Marie Kreutzer accompanies this performance with careful and deliberately minimalist staging. The sumptuous settings of the Viennese imperial court contrast with Elizabeth's inner tension, captured in shots that favor intimacy and detail. The soundtrack, which incorporates contemporary elements, reinforces this feeling of discrepancy, giving the film a modern resonance while remaining anchored in its era.
