Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?

Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? is a satirical art-house film from 1966 that serves as a stinging critique of the fashion industry and the culture of celebrity. Directed by William Klein, this French New Wave film stars Dorothy McGowan, Jean Rochefort, and Sami Frey.

The film centers around Polly Maggoo (Dorothy McGowan), a Brooklyn-born supermodel living in Paris. She becomes the central focus of a French television documentary which aims to reveal the 'real' Polly Maggoo behind the fashionable facade. The constantly invasive camera crew follows her everywhere, scrutinizing every detail of her life and personal affairs. As is customary in the world of high fashion, her public image becomes crafted, manipulated, and sold as a product. The line between her personal life and professional identity blurs as we see the pressure placed on her to maintain an ever-glamorous image in the face of scrutiny.

While being hounded by the documentary crew, the film introduces us to a second storyline. Polly captures the infatuation of Prince Igor (Sami Frey), a lonely and naïve royal who is enchanted by her image. The Prince's obsession with Polly highlights the nature of celebrity worship and the disconnect between public personas and real people. Jean Rochefort gives a brilliantly satirical performance as the Prince's anxious and sycophantic advisor.

Arguably the third 'character' in the film is the fashion industry itself. Displayed in all its glamour and absurdity, it provides a biting backdrop to the narrative. From the use of aluminum dresses that cut and scrape the models, to the madcap fashion designer's eccentric creations and outrageous dictatorial moods, these elements underscore the dehumanizing and absurd aspects of the fashion industry. They also emphasize the extent to which models like Polly are treated more like commodities than people.

In his directing debut, Klein, a former Vogue photographer, brings an insider's perspective on the fashion industry and its culture. Through a mix of surreal imagery, satirical dialogue, and documentary-style filmmaking, Klein creates an atmosphere where the line between reality and illusion is continually blurred, much like the life of his protagonist.

Dorothy McGowan, a real-life model, plays Polly with a mix of wide-eyed innocence and world-weary cynicism. Her exceptional performance adds a layer of truth to the film's satirical nature, providing the audience with an authentic portrayal of the complexities of navigating fame, beauty, and the fashion industry. Meanwhile, Jean Rochefort and Sami Frey brilliantly embody their roles, adding further depth to the film with their engaging performances.

Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? also stands out for its innovative and surreal visuals. The striking black and white cinematography by Jean Boffety aids in creating a sense of the glamour and spectacle associated with the fashion industry. The film utilizes a variety of camera techniques and angles which work together with the inventive fashion show sequences and settings to provide a unique viewing experience. It is a to a significant extent, a tribute to the aesthetics of the French New Wave, delivering an inventive mix of storytelling and visuals.

One cannot end a discussion on this film without mentioning its sharp and witty dialogue, courtesy of writer and director William Klein, and the hauntingly beautiful score by Michel Legrand, which greatly contribute to its overall atmosphere.

Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? might be considered a satire, but it's also a deep look at the nature of identity, fame, and the fashion industry's dehumanizing aspects. It asks us to consider who we are beneath the facades we present to the world and the lengths to which we'll go to preserve those facades.

In conclusion, Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? is a stylistically stunning, intellectually stimulating, and at times, unsettling critique of the fashion world – a bold film that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences, despite being set in the swinging sixties. It's a timeless exploration of the complex dynamic between public personas and private identities, still relevant to our culture of influencers and social media celebrities.