From crime to comedy to biopics director, Sofia Coppola has covered a wide range of genres with her body of work. Here are five movies that Gen Z can relate to!
Sofia Coppola is among the filmmakers who have a very prominent and notable voice, her work speaks volumes via its visuals, background score, and aesthetics, not only about the subjects she chooses but also about our culture at large. With a career spanning over the decades with a handful of films, she has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema with her unique storytelling style. This year the director has come up with Priscilla, an intimate look at Elvis and Priscilla’s life, and their iconic love story, based on the latter’s memoir but before we delve into the biographical drama, here are five movies from Coppola’s filmography to give Gen Z a peak at her brilliant work.
The Bling Ring
The 2013 crime film is the one that everyday contemporary audiences can relate to. Based on the 2010 Vanity Fair article “The Suspects Wore Louboutins” by Nancy Jo Sales, the film follows a group of fame-obsessed teenagers, who robbed the homes of Hollywood celebrities. The movie showcases how excessive obsession with celebrities can sometimes lead to unspeakable terrors. It explores the consequences of the social media era’s obsession with celebrity culture, which still rings true a decade later. The movie casts Emma Watson, Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Taissa Farmiga, Claire Julien, Georgia Rock, and Leslie Mann. Coppola’s work seamlessly blends Gen Z’s favorites: Crime and celebrity culture.
Lost in Translation
Perhaps the most notable film in this list, Lost in Translation, bagged Coppola an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and overall bagged nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Bill Murray. The film follows Murray as a fading American movie star who encounters Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young woman and recent college graduate, in Japan and strikes up an unusual friendship. It explores the unexpected connection between two strangers while elaborating on the themes of aspirations of young people, making them easily relatable to Gen Z viewers who are navigating their own journey through life.
Marie Antoinette
Continuing her collaboration with Kristen Dunst, Coppola reunited with her on Marie Antoinette, a visually striking period drama that reimagines the life of the famous queen. The movie follows Marie from a young girl to becoming the queen of King Louis XV of France. After their marriage, when the couple does not have kids, the court starts gossiping about the Queen, however, she has a fierce side to her. The movie makes an excellent watch as Gen Z viewers will appreciate the contemporary soundtrack, lush aesthetics, and the film’s take on youthful rebellion and self-expression.
On the Rocks
This is a more recent film starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones, who plays the central father-daughter duo Felix and Laura, respectively. The movie follows Laura, who suspects her husband Dean (Marlon Wayans) is cheating on her and takes his father’s help to catch him red-handed, however, things take a sharp turn when Laura realizes Dean is quite faithful. The movie hilariously explores themes of family, relationships, and midlife crises. Gen Z viewers can find it relevant, as it delves into the complexities of intergenerational dynamics and the challenges of modern love.
The Virgin Suicides
In her feature directorial debut Coppola adapted Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel of the same name as a poignant psychological romantic drama. This film follows the lives of the five adolescent Lisbon sisters set in 1975, and the tragedy that befalls their family and neighborhood. The movie explores themes of love, repression, terror, sex, and death through a thrilling story that is now considered a cult classic. Gen Z would be able to resonate with the themes of teenage isolation, longing, and yearning for freedom and authenticity. The movie casts James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst, A.J. Cook, and Josh Hartnett, with Scott Glenn, Michael Paré, Jonathan Tucker, and Danny DeVito in supporting roles.
