If you only have an hour to spare and need a mental vacation (and the motivation to book your first post-COVID trip), go on a date with "Nose". This dreamlike film captures the most fascinating perfume-making through the eyes of François Demachy, Dior's perfumer (a.k.a. "Nose") and an industry icon.

The film documents two years of his life, beginning with the silver-haired star's visit to a patchouli plantation on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. He then visits bergamot in Calabria, ylang-ylang on the tiny island of Nosy Be in Madagascar, sandalwood in Sri Lanka, and ambergris (a sperm whale digestive, which is also used to make perfume) on the coast of County Clare, Ireland. His home base is between Paris and Grasse, the center of French perfumery, where Demachy grew up and honed his sense of smell among lush fields of jasmine, tuberose, and rose de mai. He was truly born to perfume.

At the virtual premiere earlier this month, Dior offered viewers an AR experience, pairing vials of the fragrance so they could smell it with Demachy in corresponding scenes. Cameo appearances by Dior spokesmodels Natalie Portman, Eva Herzigova, and Virginie Ledoyen added a celebrity touch to the film, while perfume enthusiast and former Marie Claire Beauty Director Erin Flaherty, through her story provides a cultural narrative.

Directed by Clément Beauvais and Arthur de Kersauson, The Nose premiered at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival and is available on Apple TV (opens in new tab), Amazon Prime Video (opens in new tab), Google Play ( (opens in new tab), and Google Play (opens in new tab).