Renault drives French elegance with a special screening of Alice Winocour’s Couture
Acclaimed French film-maker Alice Winocour directed Couture, set during Paris Fashion Week.
The Light House Cinema was the location for the Irish premiere of Couture, one of the headline gala screenings of the 24th Dublin International Film Festival. Presented in partnership with Renault Ireland, the event brought together festival supporters, industry figures and film fans for a standout night in this year’s programme.
As guests strolled down the red carpet, pausing for photographs before heading inside, the sense of occasion was unmistakable. A pre-screening reception welcomed attendees, while Renault’s presence throughout the venue, including a popular photo booth, added to the celebratory atmosphere.
Directed by acclaimed French film-maker Alice Winocour and starring Angelina Jolie, Couture is set during Paris Fashion Week. Jolie plays a celebrated designer preparing a defining collection under intense scrutiny, offering a glimpse behind the scenes of one of the world’s most competitive creative industries.
While the fashion setting delivers visual scale, Winocour is clear about the film’s real focus.
“The real topic of the movie is women’s bodies,” she said in advance of the screening. “It’s about women in their 20s, 30s and 40s – and about sharing worlds.” The story explores how women are seen and how they see themselves in environments built around image and performance. It follows characters at different stages of life and career, examining ambition, ageing and resilience.
“It’s about women supporting each other, coming from very different countries and different experiences,” Winocour added.
Couture examines the pressure of staying relevant, creatively and personally in an industry that demands constant reinvention. By placing that narrative within the high-stakes world of haute couture, Winocour gives it international appeal while keeping the emotional focus close.
“We really wanted to say to women who may have lived some of these experiences: you’re not alone,” she said.
Casting Jolie strengthens that balance between reach and intimacy. A globally recognised actor playing a woman whose public image is central to her profession creates a natural tension between scale and vulnerability.
“All of my films are very intimate and personal. This is the most intimate story with one of the biggest stars,” Winocour said. “It’s like the very, very small meeting the very, very big.”
For festival director Gráinne Humphreys, that combination made Couture an ideal gala choice. “Alice Winocour is one of the most amazing film-makers. Her films are beautiful to look at – they’re art films in every sense – but there’s also a very personal and political subject at their core,” Humphreys said. “It’s about an artist facing a crisis while creating art. I love that scale – something deeply intimate set on a huge canvas.”
Now in its 24th year, the Dublin International Film Festival continues to balance international premieres with a growing Irish slate. Humphreys pointed to the expansion of home-grown film-making as one of the festival’s strongest developments.
“When I started programming, we might have had five or six Irish films. This year we have 21,” she said. “Irish cinema has just grown and grown.” Gala screenings such as Couture are central to that momentum, offering audiences access to big global productions while reinforcing Dublin’s place on the international film calendar.
Humphreys also reflected on what makes festival premieres distinct. “Everybody is just a film-maker standing in front of an audience, asking them to love them,” she said – a reminder that even large-scale productions depend on that direct exchange.
The partnership with Renault Ireland brought an extra special French dimension to the evening. As a brand focused on innovation and sustainability particularly through its expanding electric vehicle fleet, Renault’s collaboration with DIFF reflects a shared forward-looking outlook. Nicola Bissett, marketing manager at Renault Ireland, said the alignment was clear.
“DIFF brings together creativity, innovation and forward thinking, which aligns strongly with our values as a brand,” she said. “We’re proud to support such a visible and authentic part of Irish culture.” Strategic partnerships now play an essential role in delivering festivals of this scale. By working with brands invested in innovation and long-term growth, DIFF continues to attract international film-makers while enhancing the audience experience.
For Dublin filmgoers, the Irish premiere of Couture offered more than a screening. It delivered red carpet energy, international talent and a high-profile collaboration that underlined the strength of this year’s festival.
With a rich programme, world-class premieres and committed commercial partners, the Dublin International Film Festival continues to build its profile in its 24th year – bringing global cinema to Dublin while reinforcing the value of creative and commercial collaboration.
