First Look: Kristen Stewart as Jean Seberg

Kristen Stewart plays Jean Seberg, the darling of French New Wave cinema in Amazon Original biopic

With the Charlie’s Angels reboot hitting theaters this week Kristen Stewart’s next film is already generating a lot of buzz. The veteran V cover star and Twilight alum will play troubled actress Jean Seberg in an upcoming biopic.

In the new film directed by Benedict Andrews, Stewart transforms into the style icon and poster girl of 1960s youth culture. A Midwest native, Seberg was famed for her roles in Lilith, Airport and Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless. In 1958, Seberg married Director François Moreuil and moved to Paris. Seberg’s relaxed style of dressing and pixie-cut (later adopted by Mia Farrow) helped to make her a star. With the release of Breathless (1960) Seberg instantly became an icon, she was the face of the French New Wave cinema.

Returning to America in the mid-’60s, like Jane Fonda Seberg became a high profiled activist. Speaking out on the civil rights movements publicly supporting The Black Panthers. Seberg became romantically involved with one of the lead members and donated thousands to the cause. Because of this Seberg was targeted by J Edgar Hoover’s FBI. The FBI sought to destroy Seberg, they wanted to ruin her reputation, her career and her credibility. Being harassed by the FBI severely messed with Seberg’s mental health. She reported to friends that she was being followed, that her phones were bugged and that she was constantly being watched. With no proof, most put Seberg’s claims down to paranoia. The experience impacted Seberg’s career, no longer taken seriously and with public opinion against her, acting roles started to dry up. In 1970, Seberg had a comeback with the hit movie Airport but less than a decade later, she was dead.

Towards the end of her life, Seberg’s mental health struggles became worse and she was dependent on alcohol. She was targeted by the press, allegedly blacklisted by Hollywood and, after losing a child Seberg attempted suicide. Those around her took advantage of her vulnerability and exploited her wealth. At just age 40, Jean Serbeg had died. Her body was found in the backseat of her car, parked close to her Paris Apartment. The cause of death was ruled as a possible suicide.

The Amazon Original is set for release this December. Check out the trailer below.

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