Join in, now there will be many layers: Irma Vep - an anagram for vampires - is the main character in a film that the TV series Irma Vep is about.
Alicia Vikanders plays Mira who plays Irma.
The fact that the series is also a remake of director Olivier Assaya's own film from 1996, which is about a new version of the old silent film Les Vampires, makes the meta level almost total.
- Yes, it is very angling, says Alicia Vikander.
The cultural news met her in Cannes a couple of weeks ago when the first three episodes of the series premiered to the festival audience.
- Olivier says that it is not a re-make, but a kind of sequel to the film from 1996. And the director of the TV series has also previously made a remake of the same film.
There are so many layers that it is difficult to explain.
Cult classic
Assaya's original film with Maggie Chung has become something of a cult classic for film lovers.
Vikander praises the director, mainly for his fantastic dialogue.
- It is brilliant, as an actor you feel extremely lucky, sometimes you can get a chance like this on stage, but it is not often you see it on film.
More than vampires and suspense, Irma Vep is about the hardships of making films.
And one of the great treasures is the series' director René (Vincent Macaigne).
His artistic suffering is great.
When he is not trying to convince his doctor that his antidepressant pills do not make him erratic and uninsurable, he barks in tormented falsetto at the spoiled actors.
Costume designer buys crack
Judging by the four episodes that the press and critics have had a sneak peek at, he, and the entire film team, only get more freaked out the longer the series goes.
It may be the craziest when costume designer Zoe (Jeane Balibar) has to buy crack for the crazy German actor Gottfried (Lars Eidinger).
When asked how Alicia Vikander reacted when she read the script, she laughs again.
- I thought it was great fun, but it's a comedy too, all roles are really drawn to their peak.
Irma Vep premieres on June 7 on HBO Max.