'The New Look': French actress Arletty faces treason charge over alleged Nazi connections in Apple TV+'s series
Contains spoilers for 'The New Look' Episode 4
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The fourth episode of 'The New Look' on Apple TV+ explored a particularly dehumanizing period in Paris' history, whereby Nazi collaborators, particularly women, were publicly humiliated.
The glitter and glamour of the fashion capital often take center stage in the series, but this time it was all about the repercussions of public outrage, which even a prominent French actress, Arletty (Joséphine de La Baume), couldn't avoid.
'The New Look': French actress Arletty rose to stardom with 'Hôtel du Nord'
Arletty, born Léonie Marie Julie Bathiat on May 15, 1898, in Courbevoie, was a French actress, who also dabbled in music and modeling.
She debuted her film career in 1930 with 'The Sweetness of Loving' and rose to stardom in 1938 with 'Hôtel du Nord'.
In later years, Arletty drew widespread criticism for her association with a German man during the Nazi occupation of Paris.
What was the connection between 'The New Look' Episode 4 characters Coco Chanel and Arletty?
The episode highlights Arletty's strong friendship with fashion designer Coco Chanel (Juliette Binoche).
Both women enjoy enormous recognition and acclaim due to their talents. Another similar thread ties them together: their personal relationships with German men.
The episode shows how Arletty notoriously flaunted her relationship with a German guy with the now-legendary phrase, "My heart is French but my a*s is international."
The actress faces public scrutiny, as her relationship with the German, whose name remains undisclosed in the episode, is deemed unacceptable by the public.
The mob that labeled her a traitor for her collaboration with the Germans is hellbent on punishing her.
Fearing for her safety, the actress seeks refuge with her designer friend Coco Chanel, who herself is stressed due to her association with Germans.
What happens with Arletty in 'The New Look' Episode 4?
Even though Arletty emphasized that she was in love with the individual whose race and ethnicity didn't matter to her, she was ultimately humiliated in front of the public.
Her hair, which Coco admired at the very start of the episode, was publicly shaved, with an angry throng yelling against her.
She was paraded around the streets of Paris, partially nude, with the Swastika sign drawn on her forehead.
During her interview with Malcolm Muggeridge (Rupert Young), Coco expressed her profound concern about her good friend's suffering and said, "Why are men not being punished like women?" implying society's hypocrisy towards women.
Coco, disturbed by Arletty's tragedy, dreaded a similar destiny for herself and finally chose to seek self-exile in Switzerland.
'The New Look' is now streaming on Apple TV+.