LONDON, England (CNN) -- For "Coco Avant Chanel" director Anne Fontaine, there was only one actress who could play Coco Chanel in her biopic about the legendary couturier -- French actress Audrey Tautou. In "Coco Avant Chanel," French actress Audrey Tautou plays Coco Chanel, founder of the iconic Parisien haute couture house, Chanel. Already uncannily similar in looks, Tautou's strong  performance breathes life into Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the fiery designer who would found iconic Parisian haute couture house, Chanel. From the way she holds her cigarette to Coco's famously sharp gaze, Tautou is a dead-ringer for the young Coco. "She is perfect for the part," Fontaine told CNN. "She has this determination and authority."
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Biopic charts early years of designer who founded iconic couturier, Chanel
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French actress Audrey Tautou plays Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel
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Writer/director Anne Fontaine would not have made the film without Tautou as Chanel
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Fontaine on Chanel: "She's the beginning of the modern woman"
It was Fontaine's vision that finally convinced the 32 year-old actress to take on the role: "When Anne explained how she intended to treat the subject, I immediately agreed," @placeholder told CNN.