set on fire

Question

Escorted by Tyen, creative director for Dior cosmetics (who will later reveal his film shoot makeup secrets to us), Monica leaves for a few minutes.Rob Marshall’s assistant shows us the meticulous storyboard for the Rouge Dior film. Marshall won over the House of Dior with the story of the adventures of a woman (Monica Bellucci) and her two attendant knights, who enjoy a fine repast and the spectacle of sunrise over Paris’s Place de la Concorde together. As the night wears on, Monica Bellucci sets the town – and a few hearts – on fire, but she disappears at dawn after a final Rouge Dior-coloured kiss.Film buffs will recognise references to the magical cinema of Vincente Minelli, the opulent sets of Luchino Visconti, and, of course, the Fontana di Trevi in Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, that marvellous film about celebrity and a carefree life, which happens to be Monica Bellucci’s favourite film. But Rob Marshall has also taken inspiration from the legends of the House of Dior. He pays subtle homage to Christian Dior himself, who in the 1950s commissioned from the photographer Richard Avedon photos of the model Suzy Parker in the company of two men.This is a particular, very sophisticated, very Dior idea of seduction and freedom.Did Monica know Rob Marshall before? “I met him just before the shoot. I love his films because he has a taste for extreme beauty. He’s an aesthete. I think he has a sensitive soul. He is phenomenally intuitive. He captures everything, and works fast. He’s incredible, almost a mind reader.“He knew my films, and he complimented me so much that I said, ‘You must have gone to a special school to learn how to talk to actresses.’ I was really moved. I couldn’t believe it.”

Question:

Does she actually burn something? And what does 'hearts' refer to?

Feebs11 · Accepted Answer

The usual phrase is "set the world on fire" = to be very exciting.  The character and her companions are so exciting that everyone she meets in the town becomes excited by them, and she also arouses feelings in a number of men.

Englishsz · Answer

Many thanks! Feebs.

And another question:

He pays subtle homage to Christian Dior himself, who in the 1950s commissioned from the photographer Richard Avedon photos of the model Suzy Parker in the company of two men.

Does it mean that Dior authorized Avedon shoot photos for Suzy Parker with two men?

And what is 'subtle' homage?

Marius Hancu · Answer

ordered/asked

Englishsz · Answer

M.H.

Thanks for the explanation of 'commissioned from'.

So how should I understand 'in the company of two men'? Does it mean that Suzy and two other men appeared together on the photos?

And 'subtle' homage. Does it mean that 'He pays great respect to Dior himself'?

Feebs11 · Answer

Yes - in the photograph Suzy Parker is shown accompanied by two men. [possibly this one?? http://tinyurl.com/378y42]]

"subtle honour" = he pays respect to Dior and his reputation as a great designer of women's clothers in a way that is not blatant..

I am a bit puzzled - there is a very famous photograph by Avedon of Suzy Parker, in a Dior dress, with two elephants. I cannot see a point in specifying two men, but I can see a point in specifying two elephants.

set on fire

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