From the way she holds her cigarette to Coco's famously sharp gaze, Tautou is a dead-ringer for the young Coco.

CNN: Biopic breathes new life into Coco Chanel story

It has also been announced that French actress Audrey Tautou will host this year's opening and closing ceremonies on 15 and 26 May.

BBC: Jane Campion to be presented with Cannes director honour

The movie stars Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, an American professor who, partnered with a young French cryptographer (Audrey Tautou), untangles a knot of clues.

NEWYORKER: The Da Vinci Code

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.

CNN: Biopic breathes new life into Coco Chanel story

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, " Tautou told CNN.

CNN: Biopic breathes new life into Coco Chanel story

In four or five frantic days, he tries to save another illegal immigrant, Senay (Audrey Tautou), from the clutches of the cheerfully sinister manager of the hotel in which they both work.

NEWYORKER: Dirty Pretty Things

But, while Tautou's unmistakable similarity to Coco Chanel made her an obvious choice for the role, the striking actress says she wasn't interested in doing a "birth to death" biopic of the designer.

CNN: Biopic breathes new life into Coco Chanel story

She is joined in the best actress category by 24-year-old Mulligan, Tautou - for her role as Coco Chanel in Coco Before Chanel - and Saoirse Ronan, for The Lovely Bones, as well as newcomer Gabourey Sidibe for Precious.

BBC: Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard