WIDOW CLICQUOT

TIFF 2023

With Director: Thomas Napper and Actress/Producer: Haley Bennett (widow Clicquot)

By Emmanuel Itier

In the late 18^th century, in the region of Champagne in France, began the journey of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot, who transformed a failing business into the world-famous brand know as ‘Veuve Clicquot’. This is a fantastic look at a woman who was able to transform herself, her business and the whole world of Champagne. ‘Widow Clicquot’ is magically directed by the maverick Thomas Napper (‘Jawbone’) and actress Haley Bennett is full of champagne bubbles with her splendid incarnation of widow Clicquot. Not only ‘Veuve Clicquot’ is my favorite champagne, since the tender age of 16, but now I only have more respect for the lady behind the brand who sacrificed everything in order to become successful and leave behind an empire that will bring spirit to legions of champagne lovers for the next centuries. Bravo, Madame Clicquot and Bravo to Thomas and Haley.

On the eve of their Tiff premiere we caught up with Thomas Napper and Haley Bennett.

Q: How did this movie come about for you?

Haley: Well, I read the book it was inspired by, and I had a very visceral experience. I could see the film, I could smell it, I could taste. I just could envision what this film could be. Then I went after the owner of the rights for the biography of widow Clicquot, Christina Weiss Lurie. And we decided to partner together to produce this movie. We then developed the script and look at where we could film it. We knew it had to be filmed in France for sure. We knew we needed an entire French crew even so most of the actors are English. The source material was in an English, and we thought that if we were filming in English that the movie would have a biggest chance at the world market. But we stayed true to the French heritage.

Thomas: I know Haley for a little while and this was one of the main attractions to direct this film; the opportunity of working together. I read the script and I felt I could relate totally to the characters. I could relate to François Clicquot, about his creativity, his imagination, his vision. I liked the structure of the script mixing present and past together. Widow Clicquot is so fascinating that it was impossible not to want to jump into her world. At the beginning of the film, she is quite fragile, but widow Clicquot is going to mature into becoming an incredible woman, full of force and full of power. What an inspiring entrepreneur, survivor, and inventor she was. She was also such a smart dealmaker. She became truly an icon for the present day. The fact you’re a fan of her champagne in 2023 says it all. She supersedes her husband, and she is the one who has the taste.

Haley: This film shows that winemaking celebrates the creative process and creativity. It’s kind of an act of spirituality to make champagne. The journey of Clicquot freed her, empowered her and it gave her a purpose in fulfilling her. I think this is how the audience will relate to that story: we are all looking for our true purpose. Winemaking is truly an art. We spent so much time living in Chablis and it was so mesmerizing. And we filmed at “Chateau de Béru”. We were mangling with the families of the winemakers, and this was fantastic. They are so passionate. Winemaking is a metaphor for healing and how it can restore the spirit and even save from her grief widow Clicquot.

Q: Did you get the support of the estate of ‘Widow Clicquot’?

Haley: Absolutely! Clicquot gave us their blessing for the film, and they even invited me to their main location in Champagne. We consulted with them, and they showed me letters from Barbe to Louis and Francois. I was able to explore some of their caves. They offered us to shoot there but we needed to shoot in a location closer to where we were living. In any case it was magic to have a glass of Clicquot champagne in the authentic cave where this legendary champagne is made. Most people don’t know the story of this brand and I think it was important to show to the world who this woman was.

Q: What do you think this movie is truly about? What are the messages?

Thomas: For sure it’s about woman empowerment. Fundamentally it’s a story about watching a character who is portraying how amazing she was. How the survived Napoleon and how she played very strategically with all these powerful men who wanted her to fail. It’s about identity and who are we. It’s a painting rather than a documentary. It’s a very inspiring movie.

Haley: An important symbol about the film is that it is about a woman learning how to hold her own hand. I believe this is also a big part of my journey as a woman. Most women need the ability to trust themselves and hold their own hand. I learned to be my own mother, and to be my own partner, and to overcome challenges and difficulties despite the fear. It’s all about being your own savior and trust your own instinct. As women we have to learn how to hold ourselves up. This is what is so inspiring with the story of widow Clicquot. At the end of the movie, she stands with dignity in that court room. She turns a tragedy into a triumph. She believes in herself, and she stops looking for validation from others. I think that we truly succeed in life when we stop looking for validation from others. This is when we become truly successful.