Irma Vep (1996)

Despite being partly in English and having a Chinese lead, Vep couldn't be more French. It’s a film about the making of a film, namely a remake of Louis Feuillade's silent era serial Les Vampires (1915-16), shot in a vérité style. The production hits some bumps, leaving Maggie Cheung, playing a version of herself that's unable to speak the language, with only the Irma character to offer any kind of solace when she's alone.
As a commentary on French cinema it's successful in opening debate, but people who've never heard the names Truffaut or Godard might get a little lost trying to find something to hang onto.

3 inspirations out of 5