From Leos Carax to ‘Call My Agent’ Creator, Paris Olympics Opening Promises An Expansive Vision of France

As someone who has closely followed the preparations for Paris 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, I am filled with excitement and anticipation as we approach this historic event. The rumors and speculations surrounding surprise performers and hidden elements have only added to the intrigue, making me feel like a child waiting for Christmas.


As the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in Paris approaches, strange occurrences and whispers have started circulating in the city.

On Monday, before the surprise performers for Paris 2024 were revealed, which included names like Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, and Dua Lipa, local cameras spotted a grand piano being transported on the Seine river, covered with a tarp. Paris 2024 organizers didn’t say anything about cameo performances, but the Seine river is expected to have a significant role in the event taking place on Friday.

The open-air spectacle, lasting approximately three hours and forty minutes, will take place as a waterborne procession, featuring 85 boats with Olympic teams aboard. This maritime parade will traverse a four-mile route through the City of Light’s primary thoroughfare, starting at Pont d’Austerlitz and ending near the Eiffel Tower. The event will incorporate renowned city landmarks and locations, presenting twelve lively tableaus directed by esteemed French theater director Thomas Jolly. These tableaus will come to life with the assistance of 3,500 actors, dancers, and musicians.

In an unprecedented move for the ceremony, athletes will not only participate in the artistic display but will also walk through the tableaus, according to Jolly. From the outset, our goal was to merge the artistic show, athlete procession, and protocol into one cohesive presentation.

The fresco will not follow a straight line but instead evoke the unique sensation felt by Jolly and his team as they wander through the city.

As a movie lover, I’d describe it like this: The city doesn’t reveal its history in a neat, orderly fashion. Instead, it presents a collage of monuments and architectural styles from different eras, each telling its own story. The narrative isn’t linear but all around me, a 360-degree tapestry woven with threads of history. And the harmonious blending of these diverse historical elements creates a beautiful, poetic rhythm.

“Furthermore, this blend [of ideas and perspectives] mirrors the essence of our national character. The French are known for our inquisitive nature – always seeking answers, always questioning. France is not defined by a single concept, but rather as an ever-evolving narrative that continuously builds, dismantles, and rebuilds itself. This can lead to protests, debates, and strikes, but ultimately, we are a deeply introspective people, constantly reflecting on ourselves and our place in the world.”

The fresco will exhibit a mischievous tone, delighting in the celebration while subtly poking fun. To achieve this witty equilibrium, Jolly collaborated with “Call My Agent!” creator Fanny Herrero, aiming to tap into a comparable stream of humorous self-reference.

He chuckles and acknowledges that people have preconceived notions of who we are. Some of these images are cliches that we can use to our advantage if we understand them well. For instance, there’s more to Paris than its accordions and croissants, and France is not just about “Emily in Paris.” To effectively challenge these stereotypes, we must first encounter them. Fanny excels at doing precisely that.

From Leos Carax to ‘Call My Agent’ Creator, Paris Olympics Opening Promises An Expansive Vision of France

Jolly also couldn’t help but gaze at the large screen, implying an impressive tribute reminiscent of Leos Carax‘s “The Lovers on the Bridge.”

“According to Jolly, the story of France is intertwined with that of cinema. France has provided the tools for self-expression to the world, while Paris has been extensively captured through photographs and paintings. On a larger scale, we’ll honor our innovative contributions in science fiction, literature, cinema, video games, and comics.”

Jolly and his team imagined the ceremony as an exciting fusion of cultures, where performers skillfully blended breakdance and ballet, and classical music clashed with modern pop and electronic music. It’s rumored that Lady Gaga will make an appearance.

In addition, they’ve kept everything under wraps – spending the last year preparing their public spectacle in hidden airplane hangars, away from curious onlookers. They’ve also employed advanced technology designed for this unique event to create a realistic four-mile replica of the Seine. So when 3500 circus performers, actors, dancers, acrobats, and musicians line up at Paris’ bridges, rooftops, and quays on Friday, and an estimated 2 billion viewers from around the world tune in, they’ll all be part of a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Given those stakes, Jolly remains impressively (and surprisingly) at ease.

He expresses feeling unexpectedly calm before the premiere, a departure from his usual anxious self. “I’m excited about this project and can’t wait to present it,” he shares. The grand scale of the production and the exceptional team behind it have left him in a tranquil state, yet he remains eager to start the show.

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2024-07-22 23:16