“Irma Vep”, written and directed by Olivier Assayas and starring Academic award winner Alicia Vikander, is a modern-day TV adaptation of his earlier 1996 film with the same title. It starts with an American movie star, Mira, being disillusioned by her career graph and recently failed relationship, coming to France to play the lead in a French movie “Irma Vep” which showcases a remake of the 1916 silent film Les Vampires.
As time proceeds, Mira struggles to bridge a gap between her and her character as real and reel life begins to merge. The series portrays a thin line between fiction and reality, art and real life. The show is available on the HBO channel and HBO Max.
So, it’s a show within a show. Let’s not waste any more time and quickly go through what’s happening in Season 1, Episode 1 of “Irma Vep”
Irma Vep Season 1 Episode 1recap
The scene starts with Mira (Alicia Vikander) arriving in Paris with her assistant Regina (Devon Ross) and thereafter, hustling from airport to hotel and wrapping up the publicity on Doomsday (her last movie) to starting the new French production. At the hotel, she is immediately updated on her tight schedule where she is shocked to know that Herman (the director) is attending the premiere with his beautiful new wife, Laurie (her ex-girlfriend and assistant). Mira finishes her Vogue photoshoot in Spacesuit costume, followed by a tiring press conference, and goes to attend the premiere where she, robotically signs autographs and clicks some pictures.
Mira is stressed out to meet Herman (Byron Bowers) and Laurie (Adria Arjona). Mira comes across Laurie and the encounter starts on an awkward note showing the break-up did not end on a good note. Mira asks her to go outside to smoke where she confronts Laurie about how she was the last person to know about her and Herman. Laurie replies she was scared as Mira wasn’t easy and that she wasn’t monogamous either. Mira was invited to the wedding but she didn’t even RSPVd.
The next morning, Mira is late for the shoot as she couldn’t sleep properly and completed her nap in the 3hours car ride. The next scene starts with a movie scene where two countrymen are moving in a boat and come across a dead body with a severed head. Director Rene Vidal (Jean-Pierre Leaud) is introduced here, who is seen agitated by the hindrance that occurred by smoke. He cuts the scene as the body isn’t visible clearly when pulled out of swamp water and thus, isn’t scary enough.
In the first encounter between Rene and Mira, Rene apologizes to Mira for his limited English and earlier bad Wifi connection. Their conversation becomes even more unsettling as Rene says, “I don’t care about movies anymore. I used to, but I am not anymore. Maybe it will come back.”, followed by “My job is to screw the plan.” and Mira says she might help him with that. Rene further shows her the clip from Les Vampires on his mobile, where a journalist, Philippe Guerande exposes the crimes of the Grand Vampire to the press by discovering the severed head of Inspector Durtal.
It cuts to the second encounter between Rene and Mira which is much more subdued. Mira has done her research on Les Vampires and the actress, who originally played Irma Vep, Musidora. She seems to be inspired by the woman who was one of the first female directors, film critics, novelists, and romantic adventurers. Rene says surrealists worshipped her as well as she was “an outlaw” not unlike her reel character and that Mira is an outlaw herself.
While Rene was talking to Edmond, Gregory (the producer) calls him aside and informs him that the insurance company might trick them and refuse to back the production as Rene told the insurance doctor that he is on anti-depressants. In the next scene, Mira is seen trying the catsuit and she likes it so much that she attempts to pickpocket a purse in the hotel in that costume.
In the meantime, two other actors, Severine and Edmond meet at a restaurant where Edmond tries to convince Severine to a sex scene between their characters but she completely rejects the idea. She makes a really strong statement “You aren’t touching me, supervised or not.” In the next scene, Laurie comes to visit Mira and it shows that she still has a hold over Mira. She shows off her wealth and orders her to move around in her catsuit, teasing her relentlessly. Worse for Mira, she accepts that she wants her back and even begs for it.
They agree to meet at the Plaza later. Next is a movie scene where Severine, playing Marta, the dancer fiancé of Philippe (played by Edmond) meets the Grand Vampire who comes disguised as Count of Noirmoutier. He presents her with a poison ring and Rene calls cut. Severine doesn’t agree with Marfa being so in love with Philippe.
Mira stays back at the Plaza and asks Regina to leave for the new hotel to check the suite herself which surprises her a bit. In the next scene, Rene meets Gregory again where they discuss his past issues and Gregory reminds him of the movie Agony in the Garden. Rene starts to praise the film while trying to dissolve that he tried to run over the lead actor with his car.
In another incident, he had peed on another production’s period furniture because he didn’t like it. Gregory informs that the insurance company will not fund the production. In the last scene, Laurie comes in 40 minutes late for a drink and immediately announces that she’s leaving as she has a dinner planned with Herman. She says they will catch up in L. A and spent more time together as they are in a balanced relationship now. This pisses Mira and she says “Fuck you, Laurie”, to which Laurie replies “Not yet” and leaves.
It will be interesting to see the history between Severine and Edmond.
So many times in the first episode itself we saw the arising tension between Severine and Edmond. The way Severine completely rejects the idea of a sex scene between them but still is cordial professionally shows her discomfort. She is so disgusted to even with the idea of being in love with his movie character. It will be really intriguing to get to know exactly what happened between these two characters.
The emphasis on the phrase “The Ring that kills”.
A lot of emphasis was put on the phrase “The Ring that kills” in this episode. Rene repeated the phrase almost 2-3 times in a scene and even asked Severine to show a little more reaction when Grand Vampire put the ring on her finger. Does anyone actually get killed or is it just a metaphor or maybe a diversion from the real problem?
How does Mira handle her emotional turmoil because of Laurie’s attitude?
It was shocking to see Mira’s submissive reactions toward Laurie’s attitude. She kind of bends and loses all her dignity just to be in touch with her. Is Mira in love with Laurie or is she plotting any kind of revenge? Mira clearly stated that she doesn’t like to be dumped but still let Laurie keep her wrapped around her little finger.
What will be Rene’s reactions without production funds?
Rene does have a past of volatile outbreaks. That is very clear but he looks quite approachable and chilled out in all the scenes. Although, when Gregory informed that the insurance company won’t fund the production he was completely silent. His expression spoke a lot; especially since an upcoming outburst is on the way.
The second episode of “Irma Vep” will drop on HBO Max on 13th June, Monday at 9 PM (ET) approx. Do follow the website for the recap of the next episodes and more such updates.