Inspiration: The Cat's Meow (2001)

If you are, like me, utterly fascinated by the roaring 1920s, you have to watch The Cat's Meow. Based on real events, the film takes place in 1924, on a yacht trip attended by a bunch of wealthy people, from starlets to tycoons - a world of gossip, jealousy, betrayal, scandal, lovers and suspects. As expected, secrets get exposed and the private party is eventually interrupted by tragedy.

This Hollywoodesque murder mystery is exquisitely brightened up by Caroline de Vivaise's costume design - Coco Chanel-inspired pyjamas, nautically themed outfits, dapper flapper dresses, à la garçonne looks, rounded sunglasses, charming three-piece suits, glamourous gloves and neutral colours like black, white and cream. Kirsten Dunst looks ravishing in her portrayal of silent actress Marion Davies, with her heavenly beauty, blond curly bob and fabulous charleston dance moves. Ugh, she's adorable!

Photos of Paris in the 1920s

I though I should share these beautifully dramatic black and white photos of Paris in the 1920s, taken by Pierre-Yves Petit, better known simply as Yvon, so we can all feel like travelling back in time. Yvon wandered the streets of Paris, capturing the city's iconic charm and beauty at its best. Such enchanting images became popular postcards in France, contributing to immortalize the Parisian essence we all are fascinated with.

Playlist: Moonshine Speakeasy Flapper Tales

Here is the soundtrack of a golden era, embellished by flappers, bootleggers and jazz. 

Welcome to the roaring 1920's!

Inspiration: The Cotton Club (1984)

 

Francis Ford Coppola would never let me down! This is the story about the famous Cotton Club in Harlem, and a throwback to the roaring Jazz Age who ruled the charming 1920's and 1930's. However, violence, crime, racial issues and bootlegging were not so charming and made contrast with all that glittery glamour. It is a very accurate portrait of the time when gangsters owned and ruled the city. Speakeasies, mob, tap dancing, showgirls, music, gambling, romance, and an urban battle between Italians, Jews, Irish and coloured that we all know from what History tells us but still love to watch.

Diane Lane was particularly splendid and charismatic in The Cotton Club, with her flapper gowns, bobbed hair and platinum blonde fingerwaves... So inspiring! She plays the role of Vera Cicero, a sophisticated young lady who loves money, a bad girl who's always up for parties and drinks, and also the mistress of the main mob boss in Harlem, Dutch. Eventually she becomes Dixie Dwyer's - musician, Hollywood movie star from Harlem - love interest and affair. Needless to say, this girl was always surrounded by an atmosphere of crime, gangs, racketeering and dodgy business.
For those who love the film Chicago, I'll tell you this: you better watch The Cotton Club - underrated, wonderfully directed and unforgettable.

Os filmes do Francis Ford Coppola raramente me desiludem. Esta é a história que retrata o famoso Cotton Club, no bairro de Harlem, uma experiência que nos remete à Era do Jazz que dominou as charmosas décadas de 20 e 30. Contudo, a violência, o crime, o contrabando e desigualdade racial constituíam factores que charme nada tinham, contrastando com todo aquele glamour resplandescente.  Eis um retrato perfeito de uma era em que os gangsters mandavam e comandavam os vários sectores da cidade. Speakeasies, máfia, sapateado, showgirls, música, apostas, romance e a batalha urbana entre Italianos, Judeus, Irlandeses e negros que já conhecemos pelo que a História nos conta mas que adoramos sempre testemunhar na ficção.
Diane Lane está particularmente esplêndida e carismática em The Cotton Club, com os seus vestidos de gala, bob e fingerwaves loiro platinado... Quanta inspiração! Ela interpreta o papel de Vera Cicero, uma jovem mulher sofisticada que adora dinheiro, uma rapariga que não diz não a festas nem a bebidas, e também a amante do grande cabecilha da Máfia, Dutch. Eventualmente, Vera torna-se o interesse amoroso de Dixie Dwyer (Richard Gere) - um dos poucos músicos brancos absolutamente brilhantes em Harlem que chega até a tornar-se estrela de Hollywood - com quem mantém um affair que mais se assemelha a uma relação de amor-ódio. Escusado será mencionar a atmosfera envolvente, um ambiente de crime, gangs e negociatas obscuras.
Para quem apenas viu o filme, bem mais recente, Chicago, fica o meu conselho e recomendação: visionem The Cotton Club e Chicago vai parecer-vos uma brincadeira de mau gosto. Aos meus olhos e imaginário, uma obra-prima inesquecível!