In Paris last week, the premiere of the new film “Napoleon” from the veteran of such hits as “Alien”, “Gladiator”, “Black Hawk Down” Ridley Scott took place. French critics greeted the new film coolly, reports Deadline.
Le Figaro wrote that the film could be called “Barbie and Ken in the Age of Empire”, the French version of GQ magazine called the film “unintentionally awkward and unnatural”, and Le Point magazine, citing biographer Patrice Gueniffy, called the film “very anti-French and pro-British “
The director was not embarrassed by such characteristics, and he responded to the critics’ comments in his usual cheeky manner.
“The French don’t even like themselves. The audiences I showed the film to in Paris loved it,” Scott said.
And to historians who doubt the accuracy of the scenes presented in the film, he replied: “Were you there? Oh, you weren’t there. Then how do you know?
The film features six different but equally large-scale battle scenes. Moreover, it was filmed in record time – 61 days, and the running time was 2 hours 38 minutes. Scott said he wanted to keep the length under 3 hours.
He explained that he could not resist telling the story of Napoleon.
“He’s so charming. Respected, hated, loved… more famous than any person, leader or politician in history,” the director believes.
Joaquin Phoenixwho portrayed Napoleon on screen, last worked with Scott 23 years ago in Gladiator.
“The studio didn’t want me to play in Gladiator. In fact, Ridley gave an ultimatum and fought for me, and it was just an extraordinary experience,” Phoenix recalls gratefully.
The film tells the story of Bonaparte’s difficult rise to power through the prism of his volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, played by Vanessa Kirby.
