Ariane et compagnie

For the past thirty years Martine Franck has been photographing the "Théâtre du Soleil", the productions and rehearsals, and the singular, inimitable life of this repertory company. Martine Franck has constituted a true photographic memory : thirty years of life and creation as seen through the eyes of one person. Her 26 minutes films using the animation-stand technique, informed by this personal vision and a soundtrack underpinned by Jean-Jacques Lemêtre's musical score, features an interview with Ariane Mnouchkine and eavesdrops on the actors at rehearsal. The film recounts the company's life and creative development, showing how a production takes shape and actors develop their art, and tracing the sources of creative inspiration, the work of commedia dell'arte with its masks and disguises.