At the European premiere of Couture in San Sebastian, filmmaker Alice Winocour and her cast braved the rain for what many called one of the festival’s most emotional nights. Known for her intimate storytelling in films like Mustang, Proxima, and Paris Memories, Winocour’s latest work once again peels away glamour to reveal raw emotion beneath the surface.

In Couture, Angelina Jolie stars as Maxine, an acclaimed American director invited to Paris to create a short film for Fashion Week. Her seemingly perfect life unravels after a breast cancer diagnosis, forcing her to confront her vulnerability in an industry obsessed with beauty and control.

As Maxine faces her illness, Couture shifts from the glitz of haute couture to a meditation on strength, identity, and womanhood. Surrounded by designers, models, and artists—each fighting silent battles—she discovers unexpected solidarity and compassion.

Winocour’s vision transforms Couture from a film about fashion into a reflection on authenticity and resilience. “It’s not about clothes,” Winocour explains, “but about the invisible threads that connect women — through courage, pain, and shared humanity.”