When Sofia Coppola first read The Virgin Suicides, Jeffrey Eugenides's novel, she was immediately taken with the story. "Death is a metaphor of girls losing their innocence, and boys end their childhood. Their fascination which makes them to idealize these girls takes an end when they realize that perfection is something ephemeral.” she commented.
Knowing that the rights of the novel were already bought, Sofia Coppola has decided, however, to adapt it, as an exercise of writing. "It was the first time a contemporary author had such an impact on me. I read the novel again and, began to see exactly how I had put in pictures. So I started working on the script. "

The scenario once completed, Sofia showed it her father, Francis Ford Coppola for professional advice. "I told you do not try to write this scenario, since the rights already belonged to someone else, she remembers it. But when it was finished, I read it and I realized that was one of the best scenarios you read the past ten years. "

Jeffrey Eugenides, author of the novel, says: "Of all the adjustments you read, Sofia's was the best built. I think that was more intrigued by the story of girls than the views of the boys, which has different shades of story. Writing the novel, I was more interested in girls' story, which Sofia has intuited very well. "

Sofia Coppola feels very close to the film world, it was decided that she directs it herself. Personal vision and experience on the subject of photography and stylist were her strengths. The project became a co-production between American Zoetrope, Muse and Eternity Pictures.

Once set up the project, the casting began. "The film is essentially the story and game players. I wanted so, to make sure that these two items are the most powerful in the film, "says Sofia Coppola. Force scenario was supported, indeed, full of actors. The first roles were distributed to parents, interpreted by James Woods and Kathleen Turner.

"When we met again to discuss the film, I expected to find a girl with white socks and childish look, but I came across a young intelligent and charming woman. She knows exactly what she wants. And I was immediately taken with the script. It was powerful and precise ", tells Kathleen Turner.

With Kathleen Turner and James Woods in the distribution, the other roles quickly followed: Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, and actors confirmed as Danny De Vito, Scott Glenn and Michael Pare. Young talents such as Hanna Hall, Chelse Swain, AJ Cook and Leslie Hayman joined also.

Francis Ford Coppola came from time to time on the plateau, but he did not interfere in the work of his daughter. "The most important thing when directing when a film is to have a well established opinion about what you can do. People come to you daily with questions. How do you want to be that, should a focus for that long, the room is sufficiently low, and so on. The director is actually a car to take decisions. Sofia is able to take decisions quickly and convincing. I am not so fast as she does. "

VIRGIN SUICIDES Filming began in July 1998, at Toronto. The main actors spent a week together, in the house of the film. They took lunch together, living together.

Sofia Coppola came very quickly into the role of director, surprising everyone. Kirsten Dunst (Lux Lisbon), was impressed by the fact that Sofia is a very open person: "Listen all what they say." James Woods on a Sofia Coppola defines as someone who makes choices "bold, but always fair. She knows very well what gives the best on-screen. "

For Sofia, VIRGIN SUICIDES was that a return to origins. "I found directing a movie a familiar exercise. I feel really good on stage, no doubt because I grew up there. " she said.

The Virgin Suicides was a success, one of the best movies of 1999. The soundtrack of the movie was coming from the french Duo Air, with their song “Playground Love”