This is the story of Stan, a young man who might be considered an ordinary, run of the mill guy. But his love and passion for the theatre propels him to realize the most extraordinary desires. He is very attached to his grandfather, who owns a butcher's shop and who offers that Stan take over the family business. But Stan refuses. He decides to drop out of school and move out of his family's apartment, despite the opposition of his parents. His uncle is the only one to support him in the impossible dream of becoming an actor.
Acting
Clément Sibony's raw, untrained sincerity carries every scene.
Direction
Suissa's intimate framing makes Stan's small world feel vast.
Production
Gritty Paris suburbs vs. the glow of stage lights — perfect contrast.
Director
Steve Suissa
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This captures a specific late-'90s French moment when 'le théâtre' still carried working-class romanticism before streaming flattened everything. The butcher shop as villain is peak French class anxiety.
Isabelle Carré was already an established star; her casting as Julie (Stan's love interest who also does theatre) subtly suggests Stan's world is smaller than he realizes. She's been where he's going.
FR
