THE OPERA (L’OPÉRA)
(Season 1)
Wednesday, November 3 – Melville Theatre – 9:00 am
(Screening ends at 10:30 am)
Thursday, November 4 – Melville Theatre – 11:00 am
(Screening ends at 12:30 pm)
Friday, November 5 – Melville Theatre – 1:00 pm
(Screening ends at 2:30 pm)
Saturday, November 6 – Melville Theatre – 3:00 pm
(Screening ends at 4:30 pm)
Sunday, November 7 – Melville Theatre – 5:30 pm
(Screening ends at 7:35 pm)
Presented in Association with:
Newen Connect,
Orange Studio,
Unifrance,
TitraFilm
North American Premiere | TV Series |France | 2021 | Drama | 8 x 45 min | Episodes 1 & 2 |
In French with English subtitles
Directed by: Stéphane Demoustier, Cécile Ducrocq, Inti Calfat, Dirk Verheye, Laïla Marrakchi
Created by: Cécile Ducrocq, Benjamin Adams
Written by: Cécile Ducrocq, Benjamin Adams, Simon Jablonka
Produced by: Florence Levard (Victoria Productions, Telfrance), Christophe Toutlemonde
Cinematography: David Chambille, Benoît Dervaux
Film Editing: Stijn Deconinck, Gert Van Berckelaer, Koen Timmerman
Original Score: Marco Prince
Cast: Ariane Labed (Zoe), Suzy Bemba (Flora), Raphaël Personnaz (Sébastien), Damien Chapelle (Sasha), Loris Freeman (Jonas), Audrey Gorlenko (Russian Dancer), Maud Jurez (Louise), Sarah Le Picard (Tiphaine)
International Sales: Newen Connect
Original Broadcast: OCS, September 7, 2021
The Opera plunges us into the ultra-romantic universe of the Opéra de Paris, that mythic temple of classical dance ensconced in the glittering Palais Garnier. But this behind-the-scenes intrigue goes far beyond tutus and stardust, to reveal the dark underbelly of that monolithic icon, as we follow the paths of three of its protagonists — Zoé, an aging prima ballerina with a decadent lifestyle, who is suddenly threatened with expulsion; Flora, an aspiring young Black dancer eager to break into that venerable, often-impenetrable, universe; and Sébastien, the company’s ruthlessly ambitious new Dance Director, desperate to prove himself. With equal parts sumptuous homage and social commentary, The Opera takes a deep dive into the cut-throat politics behind a major cultural institution.
Series co-creator Cécile Ducrocq made her directorial début with the short film Everyone Says I Love You (2011), which garnered the Unifrance Special Prize at Cannes and the Jury Award at COLCOA 2012. Another short, Back Alley (2014) was screened at the Cannes International Critic’s Week sidebar and the Sundance Film Festival, and nabbed a César Award for Best Short Film. She has been writing for television since 2008, most notably on three hit series — Maison Close (2013), The Bureau (2015-2020), and Call My Agent! (COLCOA 2016 & 2017). Her Way, Ducrocq’s first feature as writer/director, premiered at this year’s Deauville Film Festival.
