Thierry Klifa about his fascination for “the richest woman in the world”

The richest wife in the world is banned in the spell of a younger man. Within several years, she gives him more than 1 billion US dollars in cash, annuities and works of art – until her daughter occurs and reveals everything in an international scandal.

This is the true history of French billionaire Liliane Bettencourt, the world's largest cosmetic company L'Oréal, and her long-time girlfriend and confidante, the author and photographer François-Marie Banier. A fictionalized version of the Saga – “The Richest Woman in the World” with Isabelle Huppert – will be his world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, which runs until May 24th.

A disclaimer at the start of the film states that it is “very relaxed” inspired by real events and contains elements of “pure fiction”, including private exchange between family members. And the director Thierry Klifa made sure that all names are changed. But the film still reveals the actual events very precisely (as in a three -part documentary on Netflix, “the billionaire, the butler and the friend, tells.”)

Admittedly, Huppert does not look with the real Madame Bettencourt, which was recognizable by its heavily painted hairstyle and strictly tailor -made suits. In the film, Huppert has silky shoulder -length hair and a much younger look. It acts as a playful Parisienne, which is seduced by the extravagant fantin (fictionalized version of Banier) and enables him to change everything: her clothing, her art collection, her life.

In a recent video interview, Klifa discussed the scandal why he was interested in it and why he decided on Huppert. The conversation translated by French was edited and compressed.