A season behind the scenes at the Paris Opera. Moving from dance to music, alternately ironic, light and cruel, “The Opera” portrays human passions and tells fragments of lives, at the heart of one of the world’s most prestigious opera institutions. Production : Les Films Pelléas, BANDE À PART FILMS, Orange Studio, Opéra national de Paris

L'Opera documentaire photo presse(c)LFP_LESFILMSPELLEAS

opera

L'Opéra

fr / en

15-16

A season behind the scenes at the Paris Opera. Moving from dance to music, alternately ironic, light and cruel, “The Opera” portrays human passions and tells fragments of lives, at the heart of one of the world’s most prestigious opera institutions.P

Jean-Stéphane Bron

The Paris Opera trained them from childhood and gave them an extraordinary life, shaped by discipline and passion. At 42, the time has come to leave this prestigious institution.Alice Renavand, Stéphane Bullion, and Aurélia Bellet are preparing their farewell performance. Yonathan Kellerman’s camera gently follows this transition into a new chapter of their lives. A coproduction: les films d'ici - Arte France - Opéra national de Paris 2025

Adieu l Opéra - Alice Renavand loge (2) © Yonathan Kellerman

Adieu l'Opéra

The Paris Opera trained them from childhood and gave them an extraordinary life, shaped by discipline and passion. At 42, the time has come to leave this prestigious institution. Alice Renavand, Stéphane Bullion, and Aurélia Bellet are preparing thei

Yonathan Kellerman - starring Alice Renavand, Stéphane Bullion, Aurélia Bellet...

Farewell Opera

Marion begins work on her first production as a choreographer. Meanwhile, prop makers and stage managers bustle around an extraordinary ballet in preparation.In the workshops of the Bastille Opera House, painter Jiajun embarks on an ambitious new project: his very first architectural backdrop.At the Palais Garnier, chief inspector Charles-Édouard sets off on his long rounds through the corridors, while on stage an extraordinary scene is taking shape: thousands of balls are about to rain down from the ceiling for Alexander Ekman’s ballet Play.---Director: Jean-Luc Perréard This documentary is supported by Lexus, Official Car of the Paris National Opera, the Orange Foundation, patron of the Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle, patron of the Paris National Opera’s audiovisual and digital projects.

Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra - 1/7

Behind the Scenes of the Opera

Behind the Scenes of the Opera - 1/7

Marion begins work on her first production as a choreographer. Meanwhile, prop makers and stage managers bustle around an extraordinary ballet in preparation. In the workshops of the Bastille Opera House, painter Jiajun embarks on an ambitious new pr

Episode 1 – A Tunnel to the Dream Factory…

Behind the scenes at the Opera 1/7

Laure arrives at her workshop at the Bastille Opera, where she creates hats. Two floors below, Jiajun begins sketching the outline of his giant canvas in charcoal. In the fabric library, Katharina selects samples for the costumes of the upcoming production of the opera Eugene Onegin. In the workshops, the Catherinettes celebration is in full swing, while on stage a dress rehearsal of The Cunning Little Vixen is getting underway.---Director: Jean-Luc PerréardThis documentary is supported by Lexus, Official Car of the Paris National Opera, the Orange Foundation, patron of the Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle, patron of the Paris National Opera’s audiovisual and digital projects.

Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra - 2/7

Behind the Scenes of the Opera - 2/7

Laure arrives at her workshop at the Bastille Opera, where she creates hats. Two floors below, Jiajun begins sketching the outline of his giant canvas in charcoal. In the fabric library, Katharina selects samples for the costumes of the upcoming prod

Episode 2 – So That the Magic Works

Behind the scenes at the Opera 2/7

Willy, a tailor at the Bastille Opera, teaches his trainee Julius how to sew a jacket. Far from the Opera, Laure passes on the craft of millinery in a secondary school, where the vocations of tomorrow begin to take shape. In the amphitheatre, Luis, a baritone with the Academy, is deep in rehearsal.At the Palais Garnier, Marion oversees the final fittings for her production, while the “Tous à l’Opéra” event opens the backstage world to the general public. As evening falls, Luis prepares to take to the main stage to perform in Les Brigands.---Director: Jean-Luc Perréard This documentary is supported by Lexus, Official Car of the Paris National Opera, the Orange Foundation, patron of the Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle, patron of the Paris National Opera’s audiovisual and digital projects.

Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra - 3/7

Behind the Scenes of the Opera - 3/7

Willy, a tailor at the Bastille Opera, teaches his trainee Julius how to sew a jacket. Far from the Opera, Laure passes on the craft of millinery in a secondary school, where the vocations of tomorrow begin to take shape. In the amphitheatre, Luis, a

Episode 3 – We Do Things So They Play…

Behind the scenes at the Opera 3/7

On her first day as an intern in the millinery workshop, Elisa loses her way in the corridors of the Bastille Opera under Laure’s guidance. Grégory, ballet master, begins overseeing Hofesh Shechter’s new contemporary creation, Red Carpet. Six levels below ground, Michel supervises the assembly of the sets before they are brought up to the stage.In the workshops, Jean-Philippe inspects the production of the sculpted elements, while on stage Coline, stage manager, prepares the evening’s performance: Le Barbier de Séville.---Director: Jean-Luc Perréard This documentary is supported by Lexus, Official Car of the Paris National Opera, the Orange Foundation, patron of the Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle, patron of the Paris National Opera’s audiovisual and digital projects.

Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra - 4/7

Behind the Scenes of the Opera - 4/7

On her first day as an intern in the millinery workshop, Elisa loses her way in the corridors of the Bastille Opera under Laure’s guidance. Grégory, ballet master, begins overseeing Hofesh Shechter’s new contemporary creation, Red Carpet. Six levels 

Episode 4 – The Details Make the Difference

Behind the scenes at the Opera 4/7

John, a pianist for the dance classes, accompanies rehearsals with a rare distinction: he improvises every piece he plays. On stage, the final rehearsal of the contemporary creation Red Carpet is underway, as Grégory works alongside Hofesh Shechter to fine-tune the last technical details. In the millinery workshop, Elsa puts the finishing touches to her hat, while a mysterious “bear question” arises in the costume department.In the Grand Foyer, Marion meets the children from the Ballet School who will take part in her choreography for the gala celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Palais Garnier.---Director: Jean-Luc Perréard This documentary is supported by Lexus, Official Car of the Paris National Opera, the Orange Foundation, patron of the Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle, patron of the Paris National Opera’s audiovisual and digital projects.

Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra - 5/7

BARBIER DE SÉVILLE.2 série documentaire POP Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra

Behind the Scenes of the Opera - 5/7

John, a pianist for the dance classes, accompanies rehearsals with a rare distinction: he improvises every piece he plays. On stage, the final rehearsal of the contemporary creation Red Carpet is underway, as Grégory works alongside Hofesh Shechter t

Episode 5 – If the Opera Doesn’t Do It, Who Does?

Behind the scenes at the Opera 5/7

Firefighters arrive at the Palais Garnier for a training exercise in the legendary “Opera lake.” In the costume department, Anne-Marie, head of the soft tailoring workshop, is working her final day at the Opera: she is retiring after forty years with the institution.At the Bastille Opera, Jiajun completes his monumental canvas, a poignant moment before it is taken down.Below ground, sets are being lifted up to the stage while Sandrine and her team prepare hundreds of wigs for the evening’s performance: The Sleeping Beauty.---Director: Jean-Luc Perréard This documentary is supported by Lexus, Official Car of the Paris National Opera, the Orange Foundation, patron of the Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle, patron of the Paris National Opera’s audiovisual and digital projects.

Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra - 6/7

Behind the Scenes of the Opera - 6/7

Firefighters arrive at the Palais Garnier for a training exercise in the legendary “Opera lake.” In the costume department, Anne-Marie, head of the soft tailoring workshop, is working her final day at the Opera: she is retiring after forty years with

Episode 6 – We’re All Connected to One Another

Behind the scenes at the Opera 6/7

For the first time, Jiajun discovers his giant canvas installed on the set panels. Jean-Philippe takes the opportunity to check the final technical elements.In the costume department, fittings begin for a new opera with the costume designer and Katharina.At the Palais Garnier, excitement reaches its peak: Marion makes the final adjustments ahead of an exceptional evening, the 150th Anniversary Gala of the Palais Garnier, where all disciplines come together.---Director: Jean-Luc PerréardThis documentary is supported by Lexus, Official Car of the Paris National Opera, the Orange Foundation, patron of the Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle, patron of the Paris National Opera’s audiovisual and digital projects.

Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra - 7/7

Behind the Scenes of the Opera - 7/7

For the first time, Jiajun discovers his giant canvas installed on the set panels. Jean-Philippe takes the opportunity to check the final technical elements. In the costume department, fittings begin for a new opera with the costume designer and Kath

Episode 7 – The cherry on the hat

Behind the scenes at the Opera 7/7

Commissioned by Napoleon III and inaugurated 150 years ago under the Third Republic, the Palais Garnier is renowned worldwide for its façade and its spectacular double-revolution staircase. But above all, it is a living venue: welcoming nearly 5,000 visitors a day, home to one of the most prestigious dance companies in the world, and hosting more than 200 curtain raisings each year. This 24-hour immersion in this iconic place offers a chance to discover its history, its backstage areas, and the people who bring it to life—whether guides, prop makers, stagehands, or dancers. Co-production: Ex Nihilo / Opéra national de Paris / France Télévisions

Une journée (extra)ordinaire : 24h à l'opéra Garnier

An (Extra)Ordinary Day: 24 Hours at the Palais Garnier

Commissioned by Napoleon III and inaugurated 150 years ago under the Third Republic, the Palais Garnier is renowned worldwide for its façade and its spectacular double-revolution staircase.But above all, it is a living venue: welcoming nearly 5,000 v

Priscilla Pizzato

In July 2024, eighteen young dancers from around the world were selected through the Paris Opera Ballet company's external entrance competition. They make up the inaugural class of the Junior Ballet, a new and ambitious company.
For these artists, aged between seventeen and twenty-three, joining the Paris Opera is a dream come true and marks the beginning of a two-year journey.
Director : Anne-Solen Douguet
This documentary was made possible with the support of the Orange Foundation, sponsor of the Paris Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, the Cercle POP, sponsors of the Paris Opera's audiovisual and digital projects, and Lexus, partner of POP’s original productions. The Junior Ballet benefits from the exceptional support of CHANEL.© Opéra national de Paris - 2025

Capture d’écran 2025-10-24 à 14.43.12

Junior Ballet: Dreaming, dancing, together

junior ballet 1

Junior Ballet: Dreaming, dancing, together - Episode 1

In July 2024, eighteen young dancers from around the world were selected through the Paris Opera Ballet company's external entrance competition. They make up the inaugural class of the Junior Ballet, a new and ambitious company. 
For these artists, 

Episode 1 - Artists Return to Work

Junior Ballet: dreaming, dancing, together - 1/4

The pace is picking up. The Junior Ballet must master a demanding repertoire in preparation for the tour scheduled for May. George Balanchine, Maurice Béjart, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, José Martinez, not to mention Noé Soulier... so many different styles and choreographies that are sometimes difficult to master.Technique, emotion, discipline, auditions: the young artists learn and progress every day. As the days go by, the group bonds around a common goal: dancing together.Director : Anne-Solen Douguet This documentary was made possible with the support of the Orange Foundation, sponsor of the Paris Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, the Cercle POP, sponsors of the Paris Opera's audiovisual and digital projects, and Lexus, partner of POP’s original productions. The Junior Ballet benefits from the exceptional support of CHANEL.© Opéra national de Paris - 2025

Junior Ballet - documentaire POP rêver, danser, ensemble

Junior Ballet: Dreaming, dancing, together - Episode 2

The pace is picking up. The Junior Ballet must master a demanding repertoire in preparation for the tour scheduled for May. George Balanchine, Maurice Béjart, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, José Martinez, not to mention Noé Soulier... so many different style

Episode 2 - Let's get to work!

Junior Ballet: dreaming, dancing, together - 2/4

At the beginning of 2025, a new chapter begins: the Junior Ballet joins the Paris Opera Ballet as understudies — a first-time experience.On the programme: The Sleeping Beauty by Rudolf Nureyev, a spectacular production that has not been staged for ten years. The dancers must learn every role, every position — sometimes at the very last minute.A challenge that blends the stress of performance with the intense joy of being part of it.Director : Anne-Solen Douguet<div> This documentary was made possible with the support of the Orange Foundation, sponsor of the Paris Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, the Cercle POP, sponsors of the Paris Opera's audiovisual and digital projects, and Lexus, partner of POP’s original productions. The Junior Ballet benefits from the exceptional support of CHANEL.© Opéra national de Paris - 2025</div>

Junior Ballet - série documentaire sur POP

Junior Ballet: Dreaming, dancing, together - Episode 3

At the beginning of 2025, a new chapter begins: the Junior Ballet joins the Paris Opera Ballet as understudies — a first-time experience. On the programme: The Sleeping Beauty by Rudolf Nureyev, a spectacular production that has not been staged for t

Episode 3 - La Belle, the Ballet, and the Junior

Junior Ballet: dreaming, dancing, together - 3/4

Final adjustments in the studio, rehearsals, costume fittings… The long-awaited moment has arrived: a three-month tour across France and Europe.The group must adapt to each venue, give their best on stage, and keep progressing. Injuries, cast changes, successes, and encounters with the audience shape this intense period.The bond between the dancers grows stronger, even as the entrance competition for the main company approaches, bringing its share of uncertainty.What comes next for these young artists? For now, they must keep dancing — until the end of summer. Director : Anne-Solen Douguet 
This documentary was made possible with the support of the Orange Foundation, sponsor of the Paris Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, the Cercle POP, sponsors of the Paris Opera's audiovisual and digital projects, and Lexus, partner of POP’s original productions. The Junior Ballet benefits from the exceptional support of CHANEL.© Opéra national de Paris - 2025</div>

Junior Ballet - série documentaire POP

Junior Ballet: Dreaming, dancing, together - Episode 4

Final adjustments in the studio, rehearsals, costume fittings… The long-awaited moment has arrived: a three-month tour across France and Europe. The group must adapt to each venue, give their best on stage, and keep progressing. Injuries, cast change

Episode 4 - First Tour

Junior Ballet: dreaming, dancing, together - 4/4

At the Paris Opera, dancer Chun Wing Lam traces his journey from Hong Kong to the stage, asking: What truly belongs to him?

In this lyrical short documentary, Chun Wing Lam reflects on identity, sacrifice, and artistry. Shot with haunting simplicity, “What Belongs to You” reveals how every gesture onstage is shaped by personal history and quiet longing.CASTChun-Wing Lam as himself Charlton Chan - Young Chun-Wing Lam Yin King Law as herself Kim Ping Lam as himself Dancers - Emilia Sambor , Félicie Cunat PRODUCERSHarrison GarretClément De Hollogne Director of photographySérei Ouk EditorHarrison Garret Music score and Sound designHugo Dubery (Le Ministère Studio)Philippe Galtier (Le Ministère Studio) Color GradingThomas Martin PARIS PRODUCTIONAssistant Director - Johann JusteSteadicam - Carl Patisson1st AC - Alizée DebarryGaffer - Fleur ChampanhetProduction manager - Julien KersaudyProduction Assistant - Alma TeschnerCatering & PA - Quitterie Michele HONG KONG PRODUCTIONExecutive Producer - Wong Ying YingProduction Manager - Raymond SinProduction Assistant - Fat ChauSteadicam Operator - Christopher Tang1st AC - Stone LamGrip - Maneejan AtsadawuthLighting - Louis Leung Jean M Wong School of BalletLiat Chen - Director Special thanksRichard ChevallierJean-Yves KacedLiat Chen

What belongs to you Chun Wing Lam - Still 2025-07-19 234721_1.98.1

What belongs to you

At the Paris Opera, dancer Chun Wing Lam traces his journey from Hong Kong to the stage, asking: What truly belongs to him? 

 In this lyrical short documentary, Chun Wing Lam reflects on identity, sacrifice, and artistry. Shot with haunting simpli

Chun Wing Lam

Invited to the Paris Opera for the first time, director Netia Jones staged a new production of Le nozze di Figaro in 2022, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. A documentary, filmed backstage at the Palais Garnier, looks back at the highlights of this new production, from the first presentation of the model, to the work in the costume, painting and tapestry workshops at the Opéra Bastille; from the first rehearsals with the Orchestra, soloists and chorus artists to the first performance at the Palais Garnier.The Paris Opera Orchestra and ChorusWith the support of the Orange Foundation, patron of the Paris Opera's audiovisual broadcasts, and the Cercle audiovisuel et numérique.Director: Adrien Pauchet © Opéra national de Paris – 2023

Dans les coulisses des Noces de Figaro

Behind the Scenes of Le nozze di Figaro_trailer

Behind the Scenes of Le nozze di Figaro

Invited to the Paris Opera for the first time, director Netia Jones staged a new production of Le nozze di Figaro in 2022, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.  A documentary, filmed backstage at the Palais Garnier, looks back at the highlights of this new 