Thomas Ostermeier, insatiable théâtre

In conjunction with the exhibition “Les Clés du Festival”, ARTE and the Maison Jean Vilar invite you to (re)discover the history and present of the Festival d’Avignon, in close connection with the artists and their creative processes. A selection of films will be followed by discussions with artists and writers featured in this 2025 edition.

Screenings presented and hosted by Philomène Bon (journalist, ARTE Journal).

Thomas Ostermeier, insatiable théâtre

France // 2016 // 56 min
Directed by Jérémie Cuvillier
Co-production: ARTE France, La Compagnie des Indes, Le théâtre de Vidy-Lausanne

It’s one of those family meals that suddenly turns into a brawl. A scene so real and precisely pitched that life eclipses theatre—or perhaps it’s the other way around. Under the gaze of Thomas Ostermeier, the actors rehearse La Mouette by Chekhov, a production created at the théâtre de Vidy-Lausanne in 2016 by the insatiable master of Berlin’s Schaubühne. Valérie Dréville, François Loriquet, Cédric Eeckhout, Bénédicte Cerutti, Jean-Pierre Gos, Sébastien Pouderoux, Mélodie Richard, and Matthieu Sampeur each delve deep into the soul of their character through improvisations inspired by real-life situations.

Throughout the rehearsals—marked by sudden flashes of brilliance—the film closely follows the theatrical journey of this troupe of eight actors, directed by Thomas Ostermeier. An immersion into the heart of the director’s creative process—a rare and precious privilege—that mirrors the actors’ reality with his theatrical dream, revealing the secrets behind the production to better unveil its absolute magic.

Screening followed by a conversation with Thomas Ostermeier.
Le Canard sauvage after Henrik Ibsen, directed by Thomas Ostermeier, is presented at the Opéra Grand Avignon from 7 to 16 July.

With ARTE