press kit - La Nuit aux Invalides

AMACLIO presents
a creation by Bruno SEILLIER
4TH SEASON
NEW
NEW
SHOW
IN ENGLISH
Monday,
Thursday
IN FRENCH
Tuesday, Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday
MONUMENTAL VIDEO SHOW
14 JUNE TO 27 AUGUST 2016
PRESS KIT
COMITÉ RÉGIONAL
DU TOURISME
SOMMAIRE
2-3
THE NEW PARIS SUMMER SHOW
4-5
BRUNO SEILLIER
6-7
FRENCH & ENGLISH VOICES
8-9
AMACLIO
10-11
HÔTEL NATIONAL DES INVALIDES
12-13
PREFERRED PARTNERS
14-15 OTHER PARTNERS OF THE SHOW
16-17
QUOTES FROM THE OTHER SHOWS
18
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
THE NEW PARIS...
4TH SEASON - NEW SCENARIO
A COMPLETELY RENEWED SHOW
The new synopsis is different from the first three seasons, and contains many new
features. It will not only make the audience discover the history of the site, but also
encompasses the history of Paris, making it the must-watch sound and light show of
the Paris summer season.
SHOWING ALL SUMMER FROM 14 JUNE TO 27 AUGUST
For 6 evenings in the week, both children and adults, French and foreign tourists as
well as residents of the Paris Region, will be able to enjoy the show with friends or
family for 50 minutes, after nightfall.
AN INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION
2 evenings out of 6 (Mondays and Thursdays), the narration in English by well-known
dubbing voices from the theatre and cinema world will enable English-speaking
tourists to discover the History of France and the heart of the capital in one of its
central monuments, which is final resting place to the world-renowned Napoleon, an
emblematic person of our country.
…SUMMER SHOW
A MONUMENTAL TOURISTIC SEASON
From the banks of the Seine to the frilly shimmering of the Belle Epoque, from
the din of the First World War to the cannonade saluting the death of the Sun
King, the new edition of La Nuit aux Invalides will enchant the courtyard with
2000 years of the history of France and its capital.
Louis XIV founded the Hôtel des Invalides, giving it the trappings of the Grand Siècle.
However, the decor that he chose far outlived his reign. The French Republic and the
Empire, on the right track, brought their touch, adding another brick to the symbolism
of the initial work.
The 250-metre long façade of the Cour d’Honneur courtyard will be barely enough
to stage the history of the capital and the symbolism of the monument with images.
Each of our days becomes a frantic race to
control the present and hold on to the reins
of our lives. Our daily settings bind us to their
simple practical functions.
At the heart of the Hôtel National des Invalides,
this show will reveal the mystery that surpasses
the upheavals of today.
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3
BRUNO SEILLIER
CO-FOUNDER OF AMACLIO, SCREEN WRITER,
STAGE DIRECTOR, and ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
OF AMACLIO
Right from the start, in April 2012, Bruno SEILLIER
artistically directed four shows; the first two, La Nuit
aux Invalides and Les Luminessences d’Avignon,
are monumental video-projection shows, and the
third, Les Ecuyers du temps, a combined live and
equestrian performance (including 150 actors), and
monumental video-projection, staged in Saumur.
As for the fourth, it combines monumental video,
video mapping, computer graphics as well as
3 actual staged planes : The Conquest of the air, a
360° grandiose show recounts 100 years of French
aviation and has been conceived by the creator at the
heart of the Grand Palais.
Prior to this, he created impressive monumental
shows including 200 Years of glory at the Château de
Versailles, a monumental light-show at Notre-Damede-Paris (for the Parvis des Gentils event), Medina
al-Zahra in Tunisia, the multi-technology show at the
Millau viaduct… not forgetting the animation at the
Vendée Globe launch in Les Sables-d’Olonne.
Bruno Seillier has a particular way of creating shows to enhance a site, exalting it
while maintaining its true essence through a balance between technology, history and
stone.
His creations, La Nuit aux Invalides, Les Luminessences d’Avignon, Les Ecuyers du
Temps and The Conquest of the air all meet these challenges and serve the buildings’
beauty without erasing their soul. His creation style is dynamic and rich in sensations,
remaining respectful of characteristic elements: “I don’t seek to crush the monument
under artificial fleeting virtualisation. On the contrary, I want to use the power of
technology to bring the monument alive, to change its garment and establish a
dialogue with it.”
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Artistic director, screen writer and stage director, Bruno Seillier handles every creative
aspect of the show: imagining the visual effects, their implementation, and scenario
writing… His job is really that of an artist and he experiences show creation as an
expression of his artistic feeling: “The place? It’s the casing, the recipient in which
the idea takes shape with constraint and sublimation.”
For Bruno Seillier, it is more about reconnecting with the roots of European civilisation
than creating a momentary emotion or fleeting pleasure; this is why he seeks to instil
awe, admiration and wonder in spectators hearts, and create a prelude for inner
dialogue.
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THE VOICES OF LA NUIT
FRENCH
André DUSSOLLIER
He is one of the most loved actors in France. For 40 years now, André Dussollier has marked
the cinema and theatre in a variety of roles. He has had resounding successes in comedies
although this has not confined him to one type of role. He has received many awards during
his career: three Césars, one 7 d’or and one Molière award.
He was the actor chosen right from the 1st season of La Nuit aux Invalides to be the Narrator.
His warm and easily recognisable voice takes spectators into a journey in time.
Céline DUHAMEL
Céline Duhamel’s voice is often heard on the television and she has acted in films such as 118
318 Sévices clients, Romantics Anonymous, or on stage in the musical Le Roi Soleil and in an
adaptation of the Dangerous Liaisons. She is the author of two staged readings: Femina liber,
tribute to female artists, and A la table des mots, dedicated to culinary literature. Beetween
2014 and 2016, she played the female character of Le Testament de Rembrandt, which she
adapted herself. She has just returned from Seoul where she had been playing a role in Mozart,
the Rock Opera.
Her contralto voice, solemn or triumphal, rings out the inflexions of the Glory and the Memory…
Jean PIAT
He is a legendary figure of French cinema and theatre: actor, writer, director and a great voice
actor all in one. No one can forget him as Robert d’Artois in the TV series Les Rois maudits
inspired by the novel by Maurice Druon in 1972 or as Cyrano de Bergerac in the 1960s. A
member of the Comédie Française for a quarter of a century, he has also lent his voice to
movie characters such as Gandalf the wizard in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, or Scar in
The Lion King.
He triumphed in 2014 in the play Ensemble et séparément. Until April this year, he offered
his public Pièces d’identité, were he recalled his encounters, his main roles, the authors and
events of a wonderful adventure in the stage.
In La Nuit aux Invalides, he plays Œil de Louvois, the architect of the site, who stirs the heart
of the monument.
Jacques ROEHRICH
A former student of René Simon and Sacha Pitoëff, he has been lucky to play in nearly 150 roles
since 1969, including some major classical works. He has also played historic characters such as
Bonaparte, Chopin, Alfred de Vigny, Victor Hugo, Louis XI and Berlioz for television. He has taken
part in in Bruno Seillier’s shows in the Vendée region (Maillezais Abbey) for several summers
now. He lends his voice to Chronos, destructive god of time, who faces Memory and Glory.
6
AND ENGLISH
Paul BANDEY the Narrator
Paul is an English actor living in Paris. Born and raised in London he trained as an actor at the
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
His first love was for the theatre but since he’s been living in France, he has turned increasingly
towards film and TV and is much in demand for voice work : a gift for accents has enabled him
to provide most British and several American regional accents.
Sharon MANN the Glory and Memory Sharon is an American voice, theater and television actress from the San Francisco Bay Area.
She has been living in Paris, France, since the early 90s. She attended the National Theatre
Conservatory and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Acting. Mann has dubbed into English for French
actresses Marion Cotillard and Diane Kruger as well as comedic actresses Isabelle Nanty, and
Michèle Laroche. She narrated the award-winning documentaries Himalaya: Land of Women,
Tracking the White Reindeer and the blue-chip nature series Wildwives of Savannah Lane.
Her voice can also be heard in commercials for the brands Hermès and Chanel.
Patrick FLOERSHEIM Œil de Louvois
He was a French actor and artistic director.
He directed many plays in French and appeared
in a variety of roles in films and TV movies. Patrick Floersheim was also an active voice actor
and dubbed the voices of Robin Williams and Kurt Russell. He did regularly the French voice
for Michael Douglas, Jeff Bridges, Ed Harris and James Belushi. He was behind the off-camera
commentary for many documentaries broadcast, including the series on the most beautiful
historical World Heritage sites. Patrick left us last March and will be regretted by many for his
talent.
Allan WENGER CHRONOS
Born in Brooklyn and raised and educated in New York City, in the late 60s he taught, acted
and directed theatre in Greece, then he came to Paris and has been here ever since working
as an actor, voice actor and dubbing director. In Paris, he played Bogart in Woody Allen’s
Play It Again Sam in both English and French, Marley’s Ghost in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol,
Yehudi in Sam Shepard’s Mad Dog Blues and numerous of other roles. He has also appeared
in many films and TV movies. He has adapted and directed the English dubbing of about 100
films including La Gloire de mon Père, Le Château de ma Mère, La Boum, Place Vendôme, etc.
and has done the adaptations and English narration for a host of documentary films. He has
dubbed the roles of Michel Piccoli, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Nils Arestrup.
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KEY
NUMBERS
IMAGERY SURFACE
AREA 5000 M2
3 STONE
SCREENS
2000 YEARS
OF HISTORY
MORE THAN
160 000
SPECTATORS
15 TERABYTES
IMAGE COMPUTER
GRAPHICS
15 VIDEO
PROJECTORS
AMACLIO
Even in its name, AMACLIO states its mission, which is to inspire people to love history and
make others love it too. Its aim is to exalt French and European heritage through multitechnology shows for the widest possible audience.
Amaclio is specialised in producing performances to showcase heritage sites. The company
was set up by François Nicolas, history and litterature enthusiast, and Bruno Seillier, stage
director and creator of more than 40 shows.
Since 2012, 3 shows were given in ONU Heritage sites:
• La Nuit aux Invalides, monumental video show in the Honor Courtyard of Les Invalides. More
than 160,000 spectators came to see this show. •L
es Luminessences d’Avignon, a monumental, 360° video-projection
in the Courtyard of the Popes’ Palace in Avignon. At the end of the
third season in October, more than 200,000 spectators had enjoyed
this show. • Les Écuyers du Temps at Saumur castle, produced by the town
hall of Saumur... Performing arts, equestrian and monumental light
show, with the Cadre Noir: more than 30,000 spectators. Bruno’s last creation, The Conquest of the air, Dassault saga,
a French Adventure, was presented in April at the Grand Palais in
Paris. 25,000 spectators enjoyed that 360° show, in the great nave
of the monument: state of the art technologies, image archives,
flying sequences, special effects, and a resounding soundtrack to
tell us the tale of 100 years marked with air feats, with 3 legendary
planes staged like true actors.
Since its creation in 2012, Amaclio has already attracted more
than 450,000 spectators. This summer 2016, the company
produces two of its great successes La Nuit aux Invalides and
Les Luminessences d’Avignon.
Undoubtedly, this summer, Amaclio establishes itself as a first class cultural agent, always
improving the reclaiming of emblematic French sites, for the enjoyement of tourists from
all countries.
9
HÔTEL NATIONAL
DES INVALIDES
A PLACE LOADED WITH HISTORY,
AN UNPARALLELED MONUMENT
IN THE HEART OF PARIS
Founded 350 years ago by the Sun King, the Hôtel National des Invalides is first of all a
geographical landmark in Paris.
With more than 12 hectares, it’s a veritable small city that encloses gardens, ditches,
esplanades, courtyards and buildings with varied functions. It was originally a barracks,
retirement home and factory built by Louis XIV for his war veterans, and has always been
considered a model in Europe. The Sun King entrusted the building works to two of the
greatest classic architects, Libéral Bruant and Jules Hardouin Mansard.
It is no coincidence that this splendid monument remains the favourite with many Parisians,
with its immense northern facade and its golden dome that shines in the landscape with
rather intimidating majesty!
CENTURY-OLD VOCATIONS
Created by a king, history ended up making it the last resting-place of an Emperor and, today,
the pantheon of our military glories. Napoleon’s tomb remains one of the main attractions of
the site for those who love epics, whether French or foreigners. The original mission has lasted
till today: a retirement home, a hospital dedicated to the war-wounded as well as the Army
cathedral are still to be found in this city in the heart of the city.
After the 1870s, these functions were extended to include a museum mission, with the arrival
of the first arms collections. The Army museum is very well endowed and draws one and a
half million visitors each year, making it the fifth largest museum in France in terms of traffic.
In 1967, Général de Gaulle installed the Order of the Liberation, which had been created in
1940, in the building. The Chancellery and the Museum of the Order are still situated here.
There also are a number of ministerial offices, such as the National Office of Veterans housed
in the building. It is also the seat of the Military governor of Paris.
11
PREFERRED PARTNERS...
THE MILITARY GOVERNOR OF PARIS
When you enter Les Invalides, you step into History. The History of France, the history of its
armies, of its grandeur as well as its toils. This place remains, as its creator Louis XIV wished,
dedicated to « all those who have exposed their lives and spilled their blood ».
This is where those, who even today are giving their lives for their country, are honoured.
It is also here that wounded soldiers are nursed and given the care and welcome commensurate
with their commitment.
It is also here that the memory of our armies is kept alive, in a museum that ranks among the
greatest museums in France and world reputed History museums.
This story is the History of France. At a time when our references are blurring, it is the cement
in which the Nation can regain its identity.
It is this history recounted by the show that Bruno Seillier is going to inscribe into the Paris
night. That is why we’re so proud to host La Nuit aux Invalides.
Général de corps d’armée Bruno LE RAY
Military Governor of Paris
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... OF LA NUIT AUX INVALIDES
THE ARMY MUSEUM
As the historian Ernest Lavisse said, « history is not learnt by heart, but by the heart ».
So what better way is there to create a love for history than with a grandiose show shared by
the family, which will enchant young and old alike, but also make them think.
The use of the most state-of-the-art «monumental video» techniques to enliven and restore
the appeal of our shared historic heritage, is a particularly successful match.
For the Army Museum, all the forms of expression and education are welcome if they contribute
to making the public adopt our shared history, which is the basis of a great solidarity that
transforms populations into people and creates dreams of a shared future.
Les Invalides is an architectural case where history seeps through each stone and which
contains a jewel, the Army Museum, the custodian of our extremely rich military past.
It was a good thing to allow such a grand and powerful show to take over this site, symbol
of everlasting France.
Général Christian BAPTISTE
Army Museum Director
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PARTNERS OF THE SHOW
COMITÉ RÉGIONAL
DU TOURISME
15
LA CONQUÊTE DE L’AIR
LES LUMINESSENCES
D’AVIGNON
LES ÉCUYERS
DU TEMPS
16
QUOTES FROM THE OTHER SHOWS
« The children are asking for more. A
wonderful springboard for tackling
certain aspects of the history of France
with them.»
« It is a breath-taking show »
Franck Ferrand on Europe 1
Télérama
« Thanks to the perfect alliance of 3D images
projected on the stones, a narration that is both
didactic and dreamlike, read by major theatre
actors and a sound illustration carefully selected
from the classical repertoire, he takes us deep
into History... »
« A gripping
commemoration »
« Digital images, music,
voices, and History
becomes a great show»
Le Figaro Histoire
« The great history
of France for all
generations »
Claire Chazal, TF1
André Dussollier
«This is nothing compared to what
you’re going to see... »
LCI
La Croix
WHAT THE PUBLIC IS SAYING
« Splendid,
fantastic,
wonderful...
go and see it!»
« What a technological wonder! Not only
is it a magical moment, but it also makes
us (re)discover history...»
« We were astounded by the
technical and artistic quality of
this show »
« A knock your
socks off light show
presentation... »
« A very beautiful experience. Everyone, both
young and old, was filled with wonder »
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Every night except Sundays, from 14 June to 27 August
In French: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
In English: Monday and Thursday
HOURS
Session at 10:30 PM, at nightfall
(opening at 9:30 PM)
ACCESS
Esplanade des Invalides, 129 rue de Grenelle, PARIS 7e
PRICES
PRESALE
Full rate: €18
Reduced*: € 15
ON SITE
Full rate: €20
Reduced*: €17
FREE
For children under the age of 7
Large Family rate
for 2 adults and 3 children, free after 4th child
(on presentation of the Large Family card)
ON SITE: €79
ON WEBSITE: €69
REDUCED RATES
*Applicable conditions for the reduced rate
• Children beetween 7 and 17 years old
• University Students (on presentation of a a valid student card)
• People with a disability of no less than 80% (on presentation of card)
• Persons accompanying disabled persons
• Unemployed persons or recipients of income allowance (on presentation of proof)
• Persons accompanying school groups
• Groups of 10 or more
SCHOOL GROUPS: €13 (10 or more chidren)
WORKS COUNCILS: €15
send request by email to: [email protected]
www.lanuitauxinvalides.fr
Claire DUCROT
Press contact
+33 (0)6 44 19 13 08
[email protected]
17 rue Portalis - 75008 Paris
+33 (0)1 44 94 07 46
www.amaclio.com
Amaclio – RCS 750479826 – licences spectacles 2-1064300 & 3-1064301 – conception Amaclio & agence C&CO
Photographies © Luc Arden, Matthias Hattu du Véhu et Vianney Vandame