“El Affaire Miu Miu” by Laura Citarella Debuts Alongside Two-Day Discussion Event
Miu Miu’s celebrated short film series, Miu Miu Women’s Tales, made a notable return to the Venice Film Festival with the premiere of its latest installment, “El Affaire Miu Miu.” Directed by Argentine filmmaker Laura Citarella, this 28th film in the series continues Miuccia Prada’s ongoing exploration of femininity, fashion, and narrative through the eyes of female directors. The film debuted during the festival’s “Giornate degli Autori” program, alongside a screening of the 27th episode, “I Am the Beauty of Your Beauty, I Am the Fear of Your Fear,” by Chui Mui Tan.
“El Affaire Miu Miu” will be available to a global audience on Miu Miu’s digital platforms and on the streaming service MUBI beginning September 27. The film delves into a fashion campaign set in the Argentine Pampas, where an Italian model becomes the center of a mysterious disappearance. The story unfolds in the small town of Trenque Lauquen, where the model, surrounded by an entourage, captivates the locals before vanishing without a trace. A group of female detectives takes on the case, piecing together clues from the Miu Miu outfits and the vast Argentine landscape in their search for the missing woman.
Citarella, whose work often features “female Sherlock Holmes” figures, brings her unique narrative style to this project, integrating the fashion elements as key components of the story. She explains, “I had to learn how to film outfits. It was necessary to find a connection between fashion and storytelling, by melting the fantastic Pampas landscape and the world of Miu Miu, where the clothes are part of the fiction as a main character.” This fusion of fashion and narrative creates a dynamic interplay where the garments are not merely costumes but pivotal elements driving the plot forward.
The film takes on a Hitchcockian tone, weaving suspense with a distinctly female perspective. As the detectives track the model’s last movements, viewers are drawn into a world where Italian style meets Argentine supernaturalism. The detectives find fragments of the model’s dress scattered across the countryside, while the audience watches her journey across the pampas, gradually merging with the natural surroundings. Citarella’s focus on adventurous women who defy expectations is central to the narrative, as the model’s transformation into the landscape itself serves as a metaphor for her escape from the constraints of her world.
This latest entry in the Miu Miu Women’s Tales series highlights the brand’s commitment to supporting female voices in film. Through these short films, Miuccia Prada continues to foster a dialogue about women, fashion, and identity, challenging traditional narratives and offering new perspectives. The collaboration between Citarella and Miu Miu exemplifies the brand’s dedication to creating thought-provoking content that resonates with a global audience.
Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, “El Affaire Miu Miu” will be accessible on Miu Miu’s digital channels and MUBI, allowing viewers worldwide to experience this compelling blend of fashion and film. The film’s exploration of identity, mystery, and the transformative power of clothing underscores Miu Miu’s role as a leader in the intersection of fashion and cinema.
