If you’ve watched Marie Antoinette (2006) by Sofia Coppola, you can’t forget the light whipped pastel colors, the indie rock kind of music, and Kirsten Dunst as the revolutionary queen. Or, rather, you can certainly forget the queen part, but you probably still remember the heroine part of the film. Probably, you still remember the song and dance shoes montage. If you are extremely astute, you might remember something that looks like a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors in the middle of a five-star breakfast in Versailles.
That scene, which can barely take more than a blink, seems to have garnered most attention in the film. These are the moments that capture the Coppola side of most people. They are very likely to resonate with the Kathryn-inspiring visuals through the song and dance.
Biopics often take liberties with historical facts, sometimes straying from the conventional. Still, one thing audiences always look for is the inclusion of signature stunts. In any case, the concept is a soft delicate one. It wishes to reconstruct one of the most beautiful, yet mind-bogging tales of Marie Antoinette. That despite all the grandeurs as the queen of France, she was subjected to the sheer isolation and pressure of expectations. And there is no better way to do this than to add a pair of Converse to the scene.
Representation of Freedom
For many years, Chucks have represented the essence of youth, freedom, and a dash of defiance. By tossing a pair of Chucks into a world of dainty silk slippers and embellished heels, Coppola made a bold statement. It was her way of showing that Marie was not merely “the queen”. She was a real person. And if she was alive today, she would have worn Converse sneakers to meet her friends.
The shoes perfectly complemented the movie’s other creative choices as well. Coppola is known for replacing the classical score with new wave and post-punk tracks, modernizing the heart of the film. The sneakers were visual counterparts to that notion. It is a playful nudge to the audience that said, “History can be fun and relatable, too.”
It’s funny, though, that Converse wasn’t even trying to do product placement here. The shoes were included in the imagery—it wasn’t underlined or advertised in any overt ways. However, fans quickly picked up on the moment. And the sequence is now iconic in both the film and fashion worlds. The ‘Converse moment’ is still a hot topic of discussion whenever Marie Antoinette is revisited.
Evidence of Timelessness
Ultimately, it amounts to no more than a few seconds of film, but it conveys a great deal. Combining modern elements with history makes Marie Antoinette feel less like a distant figure. It brings her closer to the audience, making her more relatable. Converse fans were presented with the evidence that their sneakers are indeed timeless. The shoes are as at home in the palace of Versailles as they are on the city streets.
As you sit down to watch Marie Antoinette, pay careful attention to the shoe montage. It’s a minor detail, but one that captures all that we love about Coppola. She’s playful, modern, and always a touch rebellious.
