In a career spanning decades, supermodel Kate Moss has rarely spoken about her private life. Now, a new biopic, 'Moss & Freud', offers a rare glimpse into her friendship with artist Lucian Freud, who painted her portrait in 2002. The film, written and directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker James Lucas, stars Ellie Bamber as Moss and Derek Jacobi as Freud.
The semi-fictionalised account focuses on the nine months Moss posed for Freud, from 19:00 to 02:00 each night. It explores the unlikely bond between the fashion icon and the renowned portraitist, suggesting Moss was suffering from burnout at the time. The film shows her making major life decisions while sitting for the painting.
Unusually, Moss not only approved the film but also served as an executive producer, helping to choose Bamber for the role. Lucas approached her with a letter outlining his vision, and she responded quickly. 'I pondered what two cultural titans may have talked about,' Lucas said, adding that the setting of 2000s London, with its creativity and hedonism, drew him to the story.
The film includes scenes of Moss visiting an S&M club in Berlin, where she becomes distressed when touched on the dancefloor, recalling earlier exploitation. It also depicts her legendary 30th birthday party, themed after F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Beautiful and the Damned'. The film does not attempt to tell Moss's entire story but rather offers an intimate snapshot of a pivotal year.
