Sofia Coppola and Lisa Yuskavage on Defying Critics and the Male Gaze
In the Cult of Personality edition of CULTURED magazine, filmmaker Sofia Coppola and artist Lisa Yuskavage share insights into their friendship, artistic hurdles, and the critiques they’ve faced. Coppola encountered criticism for her film 'Marie Antoinette,' while Yuskavage has been challenged over her bold artwork. Coppola remembers being told that women's viewpoints were unimportant, a notion she sought to counter through her creations. They discuss concepts such as feminine pleasure, the male gaze, and the importance of remaining authentic to one’s vision. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of 'Marie Antoinette,' Coppola highlights an exhibition at the Petit Trianon in Château de Versailles (running until January 2027) and a documentary by her late mother, Eleanor Coppola, as they connect over their shared resilience in a male-dominated art world.
Key facts
- Sofia Coppola and Lisa Yuskavage sat down for a conversation published in CULTURED magazine's Cult of Personality issue.
- Coppola is 55 years old; Yuskavage is nearly 10 years older.
- Both artists have faced harsh criticism: Yuskavage's paintings were called 'visual stink bombs' in the 1990s, and Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette' was hated by The New York Times.
- Coppola was told as a young person that a movie with a lead girl wouldn't attract boys, but she made 'The Virgin Suicides' anyway.
- An exhibition at the Petit Trianon at the Château de Versailles celebrates the 20th anniversary of 'Marie Antoinette' and runs through January 2027.
- A documentary about the making of 'Marie Antoinette,' directed by Eleanor Coppola, was picked up by Mubi.
- Coppola's film 'Somewhere' had a dismal release but was appreciated by artist friends like Rachel Feinstein.
- Coppola described the shoot for 'Marie Antoinette' as scrappy despite a $40 million budget, with all money going to costumes and sets.
- The director of Versailles at the time was a fan of 'Lost in Translation' and allowed filming on Mondays when the museum was closed.
- Yuskavage recalled a smart negative review by Lane Relyea in 1994 or '95, which she took as affirmation.
- Coppola and Yuskavage share Irish and Italian ancestry and an interest in feminine jouissance.
- The conversation was part of CULTURED's cover story, with photography by Craig McDean.
Entities
Artists
- Sofia Coppola
- Lisa Yuskavage
- Eleanor Coppola
- Kirsten Dunst
- Bill Murray
- Rachel Feinstein
- Lane Relyea
- Craig McDean
Institutions
- CULTURED magazine
- Château de Versailles
- Petit Trianon
- Mubi
- The New York Times
- Christopher Grimes Gallery
Locations
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Los Angeles
- Versailles
- France