At the Comédie-Française, there is one golden rule: the play is never canceled. Unfortunately for Nina, everything else is—just three hours before the premiere of her first staging. An actor is stuck on a train, tensions explode, equipment breaks down, egos clash, and panic sets in. With no way out and time slipping away, Nina must hold the show together at all costs. Will she make it until the curtain rises?
The comedy Comédie Française is the debut feature film by directing duo Martin Darondeau and Bertrand Usclat, taking audiences behind the scenes of the legendary Parisian theatre institution, the Comédie-Française. The story unfolds over three chaotic hours before the premiere of a new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The main character is Nina, an actress and member of the Comédie-Française troupe, who is about to stage her first production as a director. However, the premiere night quickly turns into a series of absurd and stressful situations – actors arrive late, technical problems arise, props disappear, and conflicts erupt among the company, fueled by rivalry, egos, and nerves. The film takes the form of a dynamic ensemble comedy that reveals the backstage world of one of the most prestigious theatre stages in the world. It shows that behind the majestic façade of this historic institution lies a living organism full of improvisation, chaos, and human imperfection – yet despite everything, one rule still applies: The Show Must Go On!
