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Des Vivants Brings Survivor‑Led Bataclan Story to France TV for 10th‑Anniversary Commemorations

Built from seven testimonies, the production rejects invention, with survivors authorizing filming at the Bataclan.

Overview

  • France Télévisions features Des vivants as a centerpiece of its programming marking ten years since the 13‑November attacks, with the series now streaming on France TV.
  • Director Jean‑Xavier de Lestrade and co‑writer Antoine Lacomblez shaped eight episodes from recorded accounts by seven former Bataclan hostages known as “les potages.”
  • The creative approach avoids classic dramaturgy, forgoing invented characters or compressed plot devices in favor of faithful, restrained storytelling.
  • Cast members, including Benjamin Lavernhe as Arnaud, worked closely with the real survivors, with Lavernhe meeting his counterpart during production.
  • Filming included two days inside the Bataclan with the survivors’ agreement, and early reactions highlight the show’s focus on duty of memory over spectacle.