About
Following the May 1968 civil unrest in France, two theater groups rehearse plays by Aeschylus while two solitary individuals wander the Parisian streets hustling the populace for cash.
Cast
Michèle Moretti
as Lili
Michael Lonsdale
as Thomas
Juliet Berto
as Frédérique
Jean-Pierre Léaud
as Colin
Bulle Ogier
as Pauline / Emilie
Françoise Fabian
as Lucie
Hermine Karagheuz
as Marie
Sylvain Corthay
as Achille
Karen Puig
as Elaine
Pierre Baillot
as Quentin
Marcel Bozonnet
as Nicolas / Arsenal / Papa / Théo
Bernadette Onfroy
as Bergamotte
Edwine Moatti
as Béatrice
Monique Clément
as Faune
Gilette Barbier
as La logeuse de Colin
Michel Delahaye
as Un ethnologue
Bernard Eisenschitz
as Un pornographe
Pierre Cottrell
as Un pornographe
André Julien
as Le brocanteur
Éric Rohmer
as Le balzacien
Episodes
Miniseries
From Lili to Thomas
Rivette instantly establishes his playful, no-rules reality as two theater troupes rehearse avant-garde versions of Aeschylus plays climaxing in an epic, hypnotic warm-up exercise that unfolds like a primal, clothed orgy. We are introduced to a deadpan, deaf-mute busker and Frédérique, a wayward young con artist.
From Thomas to Frédérique
The outlines of a conspiracy begin to emerge as the busker begins receiving cryptic letters with references to Balzac and Lewis Carroll’s 'The Hunting of the Snark'. Meanwhile, rehearsals take an unsettling turn.
From Frédérique to Sarah
The mystery of the enigmatic notes deepens as the busker learns about their connection to Balzac’s 'History of the Thirteen'. Elsewhere, tensions flare up at rehearsals.
From Sarah to Colin
The various strands of the story begin to intersect. The busker continues on his quest to uncover the source of the cryptic letters, while Frédérique is also inadvertently drawn into the conspiracy. Games—cops and robbers, chess, and cons—abound.
From Colin to Pauline
Frédérique finds that blackmail doesn’t pay as she crosses paths with the busker who is now in love with Pauline—or is it Emilie? Meanwhile, a wild goose chase through Paris ensues when one of the productions is fleeced out of money.
From Pauline to Emilie
Maps, symbols, codes, card games, and double meanings: the intrigue starts to accelerate.
From Emilie to Lucie
Cracks in the conspiracy begin to appear and things really start to get confusing.
From Lucie to Marie
And then the narrative implodes...
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