Tinchebray, a small commune in Normandy, France, is currently playing host to a film crew as production gets underway on the short film Opéra bleu, directed by Vassia Chavaroche. Filming began in recent days and is scheduled to continue through .
The production is making use of several locations within Tinchebray, including a local farm, the town’s grocery store and its streets – presented as they naturally are. An associative building has also been repurposed as a production headquarters for the duration of the shoot. Perhaps most notably, residents of Tinchebray are participating as extras, integrating the community directly into the filmmaking process.
A Convergence of Opportunity in Tinchebray
According to Bastien Landier, the film’s production director, the choice of Tinchebray was facilitated by support from Normandie Images, a regional film fund. “We were looking for a farm to shoot at in the region, but not near the sea,” Landier explained, adding that the team is comprised of both Parisian filmmakers and local Normans.
The production team utilized local announcements to find suitable locations, ultimately securing the cooperation of François Degrenne, a local farmer. “We visited several farms, but his was the one we chose, and we are very grateful for his help,” Landier stated.
The involvement of the local community extends beyond providing locations. Members of La Chanterelle, Tinchebray’s historic choir, have agreed to participate in the film. A previously unused upper floor of a local cultural association building has been transformed into a set.
“After that, all the planets aligned in Tinchebray: we made connections with essential local contacts, like Bruno Michel, who put us in touch with the choir.”
Landier revealed a glimpse of the film’s narrative: “In the middle of the cows he milks every day, the young Greggory imagines himself as an opera singer and dreams of entering the conservatory.” The completed film is expected to run approximately 25 minutes.
A Positive Experience for Locals
One resident of the nearby town of Chanu, who is participating as an extra, described the experience as “super,” adding, “and I like my role with a bouquet of flowers.” Others on set echoed the sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for the positive attention the filming is bringing to Tinchebray.
The production team hopes to organize a screening of Opéra bleu at the Tinchebray cinema upon its completion. A projected release date is set for late 2026, with the team aiming for festival selections to increase the film’s visibility and potentially foster the development of the film industry in Normandy.
