Period: Vatel – Queen Marie-Thérèse

Vatel: Queen Marie-Thérèse

In 1671, with war brewing with Holland, a penniless prince invites King Louis XIV to three days of festivities at a chateau in Chantilly. The prince wants a commission as a general, so the extravagances are to impress the king. In charge of all the festivities is the steward, Vatel, a man of honor, talent, and low birth. The prince is craven in his longing for stature: no task is too menial or dishonorable for him to give Vatel.

The King arrives, accompanied by Queen Marie-Thérèse (Nathalie Cerda) and numerous mistresses and wanna-be mistresses.

While Vatel tries to sustain his dignity, he finds himself attracted to Anne de Montausier, a new arrival at Court and ‘fresh meat’ in the eyes of many courtiers. In Vatel, she finds someone who is authentic, living out his principles within the casual cruelties of court politics. Can the two of them escape unscathed?

The makeup

Giannetto De Rossi was the hair & makeup designer; Marianne Collette was the key makeup artist.