French Comedies Take Over the Screen at the Cinema Festival

Since Tuesday, the audience at the Cinema Encounters have been enjoying themselves at the Gerardmer casino, thanks to a rich and varied program. Among the gems that movie lovers have appreciated is “De la comedie francaise,” the first film by Martin Darondeau and Bertrand Usclat.

With a title like that, it’s a no-brainer to talk about good comedy. The film is carried by a cast exclusively from the Comedie-Francaise: Pauline Clement, Laurent Stocker, Julien Frison, Marina Hands, and Guillaume Gallienne, immersing us in the backstage of the institution, between rehearsals, technical constraints, and tensions related to ego.

Far from freezing the image, it seeks to scratch beneath the surface, to demystify its apparent academic rigidity. The result: a human dimension, sometimes almost unhinged, in a breathless race against time to save a performance.

Benjamin Lavernhe Brings Moliere Back to Life

Shot in just fifteen days in the famous locations of the Parisian institution, the film was a true sprint: written in two months, financed, and prepared in record time. Originally conceived as a series in the spirit of “Call My Agent,” the project led by the two directors, who collaborated on the Canal+ series “Brout,” eventually transitioned into a feature film.

The duo claims a common sense of humor and instinctive writing, fueled by experiences with fast production. This camaraderie is felt on screen, with a fast pace and sharp dialogue.

Awarded the Audience Prize and a special jury prize at the 2026 Alpe d’Huez festival, this 1 hour and 15-minute film, set to premiere in theaters on July 22nd, left no one indifferent in Gerardmer.

With an unexpected foray into the fantastic realm: the appearance of Moliere, portrayed by Benjamin Lavernhe.

The film is lively, exhilarating, without ever losing its momentum. An hour and fifteen minutes of pure enjoyment.