An exhibition in the town hall looks back at the powerful images from the filming of Julie Gayet in Villefranche, and highlights the women who played a key role in the making of this TV film.
The municipality continues to highlight the various filmings carried out in bastides in recent years. Currently, in the hall of Villefranche town hall, the exhibition “Olympe de Gouges/Women’s Rights”, designed by Occitanie Film and Motor Please Production, highlights the France 2 TV film “Olympe, une femme in the Revolution. During the summer of 2023, Julie Gayet filmed most of the scenes for three weeks in Villefranche.
Work in collaboration with the municipality, which facilitated filming, in the heart of the city but also in the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur. “This exhibition allows us to thank the support of our municipality for the production of this TV film,” rejoices Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, the mayor of Villefranche. “The rich decorations of the bastide have been put in the spotlight”.
To raise awareness
The exhibition also aims to raise awareness of women’s rights and the violence they suffer, in response to the international day of November 25. It is made up of 25 large format photos taken by Cécile Mella, set photographer, who reveals behind the scenes of the shoot.
At the initiative of Julie Gayet, Mathieu Busson, co-director, and Christie Molia, the producer, a studio was set up on the set to photograph the women participating: actresses, extras or technicians. “This film highlights the struggles embodied by Olympe de Gouges,” underlines Florence Serrano, social assistant. “It’s a superb educational tool for younger children.”
At the same time, the Manufacture is hosting the exhibition “Once upon a time my rights”, and the media library is organizing exchanges on this theme thanks to the “Les Affirmées” association. Educational activities, including discussions with Julie Gayet and Mathieu Busson, also took place at the Maison des Jeunes Citoyens.
Julie Gayet soon back
The French actress returns in March 2025, accompanied by the play Silence by Camille Aparisi, retracing the fight of female figures like Olympe de Gouges and Simone Veil. “The opportunity to address these subjects with Villefranche students and to open the debate,” adds Florence Serrano.
The TV film will be broadcast on France Télévisions from March 2025.
