Keira Knightley writes her own history in trailer for ‘Colette’

“The hands that holds the pen writes history.”

The second ‘woman ghost-writing for her husband’ story to enter the Oscar fray (after August’s The Wife with Glenn Close), Colette brings us the true story of a young woman (Oscar nominee Keira Knightley, in the titular role), who pens a best-seller attributed to her famous husband (Dominic West) in turn of the century Paris. Upon the book’s success, Colette is emboldened to fight for its creative ownership, explore her sexual desires and help revolutionize gender roles in the face of existing societal barriers.

Knightley has become something of a master of these types stately period-piece roles that allow her to transform them into women of empowerment and strength.  The film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival to strong word of mouth and co-stars Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough and Eleanor Tomlinson.

Colette is directed by Wash Westmoreland, whose last film, Still Alice, (which he co-directed with his now late husband, Richard Glatzer), won Julianne Moore the Best Actress Oscar. It is written by Westmoreland, Richard Glatzer, Rebecca Lenkiewicz from a story by Glatzer. It’s a co-production of Killer Films, Number 9 Films, Bold Films and the BFI Film Fund.

Bleecker Street and 30West will release Colette on September 21st.