Sofia Coppola's Path to Success: Unveiling the Impact of 'Lick the Star'

Article Summary

Sofia Coppola's films, exemplified by "Lick the Star," delve into the profound themes that revolve around characters undergoing personal transformations and explore the unique experiences of young women.

Sofia Coppola's early short film, "Lick the Star," serves as a prime example of her signature style and mood, showcasing her visually striking aesthetics, deliberate use of slow-motion sequences, and meticulously selected soundtrack. This film holds significant value in understanding Coppola's artistic sensibilities and its impact on the audience's cinematic experience.

Sofia Coppola, a filmmaker who has revolutionized American cinema for the past three decades, has created visually stunning compositions and captivating characters that have been revered and idolized by movie enthusiasts of all generations. Her artistic sensibilities permeate every aspect of her work, establishing her distinct language of filmmaking that has become ingrained in popular culture. Whether she delves into an all-girls school during the American Civil War in The Beguiled or explores the renewal of a father-daughter relationship in Somewhere, Coppola's films shape and redefine the audience's cinematic experience in the modern world, evident through her impressive filmography of eight feature films.

As Coppola's book Archive is about to be released, and with the highly-anticipated theatrical debut of Priscilla, which has received immense praise during the fall film festival season, it is the perfect opportunity to reflect on Coppola's prolific career spanning film, photography, and fashion. While many remember her early works through the popular films The Virgin Suicides in 1999 and the Oscar-nominated Lost in Translation in 2003, one of Coppola's overlooked gems is the 1998 black-and-white short film "Lick the Star." This less than 14-minute film, available on various streaming platforms, lays the foundation for the key elements that define Coppola's unique voice as an auteur today.

Shot at a junior high school with non-professional young actors, "Lick the Star" depicts a group of "mean girls" during their initial days back at school. Chloe, the leader of the clique, introduces a new inside joke, "Lick the star," as part of a twisted plan to assert dominance over their male classmates. As the power dynamics in the school constantly change, Chloe faces exclusion when a misinterpreted comment leads to her downfall in the politically charged hallways of junior high. Becoming an outsider, Chloe concludes the film by reciting a poem she has written: "Everything changes, nothing changes. The tables turn, and life goes on."

Priscilla

Teenager Priscilla Beaulieu's encounter with Elvis Presley at a party reveals a different side of the renowned rock 'n' roll sensation - an enchanting infatuation, a source of solace, and a caring confidant. Directed by Sofia Coppola, the film featuring Jacob Elordi, Cailee Spaeny, Jorja Cadence, and Ari Cohen is scheduled to release on November 3, 2023 with an R rating.

"Lick the Star" Has a Lot of the Themes Coppola Is Known For

Image via Film Movement

Despite its short duration, "Lick the Star" explores many of the same themes that are prevalent in Coppola's more well-known films. The movie begins with a car ride, mirroring the common theme of characters in transition that can be found at the start of many of Coppola's other works. This sets the stage for the personal stories of individuals undergoing change.

Similar to Coppola's other films, "Lick the Star" focuses on young women who rebel against the mundane aspects of everyday life and struggle to find their place in the world. The movie shares similarities with The Virgin Suicides in its depiction of suburban monotony in middle America. Voiceover narration is employed in both films to keep the female protagonists at a distance from the audience, enhancing their mysterious personas. The use of voiceover also serves to highlight the objectification of these female characters, emphasizing how they are perceived by others rather than giving them their own voices. This further underscores the lack of personal freedom that these young women experience in their suburban environments.

Alienation, when viewed from a feminine perspective, can draw comparisons between "Lick the Star" and Marie Antoinette as well. In the former film, a question regarding the concept of beauty is posed to a class and their female students. This prompts the girls to explore a complex query using fragile, tradition-reinforcing norms. Similarly, in the latter film, the central character faces stifling expectations associated with conventional femininity. Marie Antoinette is subjected to immense pressure in the beginning half of the movie where she is expected to produce an heir to the French throne and fulfill her envisioned responsibilities as a wife and mother.

"Lick the Star" Sets a Precedent for the Iconic Style and Atmosphere of Coppola’s Films

Critics once criticized Coppola's films for focusing too much on style rather than substance. However, the colors, textures, and compositions in her movies greatly contribute to their lasting impact. "Lick the Star" is an early example of Coppola's talent for creating immersive cinema through its black-and-white imagery and editing that pays homage to the French New Wave while establishing her iconic style. The short film features cinematography by Lance Acord, who also worked on Coppola's later films. The film showcases female characters in slow-motion shots, emphasizing their solitude or group shots that highlight picturesque compositions, techniques that define Coppola's future works.

Coppola's films have been known for their carefully curated soundtracks, which play a vital role in establishing the atmosphere. The music in "Lick the Star" captures the spirit of the 1990s setting, featuring bands like The Go-Go's and The Amps. These contemporary tracks help ground the film in a specific time and place, providing essential context. Styling in Coppola's movies, often dismissed as materialistic, is actually a critical method for understanding the characters. In "Lick the Star," the characters are conscious of how their clothing represents them, reflecting a post-feminist concept of self-expression in a capitalist world.

Sofia Coppola has faced criticism for her acting in The Godfather III and has been labeled a "Nepo Baby" before the term even existed, highlighting the inequality she has experienced in the male-dominated film industry. However, her exceptional talents as a screenwriter and visionary have established her as a respected and supported female director, with a remarkable body of work that deeply resonates with audiences worldwide. As viewers are introduced to her latest film, Priscilla, they should also explore her earliest on-screen project, "Lick the Star," to gain further insight into the profound sensibilities that have shaped her nearly thirty-year career as a filmmaker.

Editor's P/S

Sofia Coppola's short film "Lick the Star" is a captivating portrayal of the complex dynamics that characterize adolescence, particularly among young women. Set in a junior high school, the film follows the story of Chloe, a clique leader who asserts dominance over her male classmates through a twisted inside joke. However, when a misinterpreted comment leads to her downfall, Chloe finds herself excluded and isolated. Coppola effectively utilizes the film's brief runtime to explore themes of power dynamics, the cruelty of adolescence, and the search for identity.

As a Gen Z fan, I appreciate Coppola's ability to capture the essence of teenage angst and the social pressures that young women face. The film's black-and-white cinematography adds a sense of timelessness, emphasizing the universality of these experiences. The deliberate use of slow-motion sequences and a carefully selected soundtrack further enhances the film's emotional impact, creating a sense of empathy and understanding for the characters.