La Comédie-Française ou L'amour joué

1996 3h 43m FR

😐

5.7

MID

★5.7TMDB · 7

Documentary

Synopsis

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La Comédie-Française is the oldest continuous repertory company in the world, founded in late 17th-century Paris. This is the first time a documentary filmmaker has been allowed to examine all the aspects of this great theatrical company. Sequences include sections of plays, casting, set and costume design, administrative meetings and rehearsals and performances of four classic French plays, Don Juan by Molière, La Thebaide by Racine, La Double Inconstance by Marivaux, and Occupe-toi d'Amelie by Feydeau.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Jean-Pierre Miquel
Self
Claire Vernet
Self
Philippe Torreton
Self
Coraly Zahonero
Self
Michel Robin
Self
Roger Planchon
Self
Nicolas Silberg
Self
Catherine Sauval
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Frederick Wiseman
Languages: French
Countries: France, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

At 223 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

30 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: France, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Frederick Wiseman Paris Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Frederick Wiseman, shot by John Davey. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Frederick Wiseman shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jean-Pierre Miquel and Claire Vernet and Philippe Torreton carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Frederick Wiseman directs. John Davey behind the camera. Frederick Wiseman cuts. A long sit — settle in. Produced in France, United States of America. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1At 223 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.
230 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3International production across 2 countries: France, United States of America.
4Part of the "Frederick Wiseman Paris Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
6Directed by Frederick Wiseman, shot by John Davey. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
7Editor Frederick Wiseman shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Jean-Pierre Miquel and Claire Vernet and Philippe Torreton carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt0115934 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 7 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: John Davey
Editing: Frederick Wiseman
Runtime: 223 min · 3h 43m
Status: Released
Original language: FR
IMDB: La Comédie-Française ou L'amour joué (1996)

Part of

Frederick Wiseman Paris Collection

Frederick Wiseman's Paris Collection groups three documentaries: La Comédie-Française ou L'amour joué (1996), La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet (2009), and Crazy Horse (2011). Shot in Wiseman’s direct-cinema style—no interviews, no narration—they follow rehearsal, administration, casting, lighting, and the nightly demand to go onstage at the Comédie-Française, the Paris Opera Ballet, and the Crazy Horse nude revue. Taken together, the films are a study of how three historic Paris performance houses work, and of how bodies, craft, and looking are organized.