Listen to the article
Following the success of Sar Wa’t El Haki, directed by Lina Abyad, filmmaker Philippe Aractingi is reviving his play Parlons il est temps (“Let’s Talk, It’s About Time”) in French at the Essaïon Theater in Paris, from September 17 to October 29, on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
View this post on Instagram
After its acclaim at Le Monnot Theatre in Beirut, and then in Tunis as part of the Carthage Theater Days, filmmaker and director Philippe Aractingi returns to Paris to present his play Let’s Talk, It’s Time, this time in French. Accustomed to being behind the camera lens, orchestrating scenes and directing actors, he ventures back onto the stage in a unique artistic language where everything is unveiled, without artifice. Directed by Lina Abyad, Philippe Aractingi takes to the stage to share his story, a singular and intriguing journey that traces the small stories within the larger narrative. With no masks, cuts, or edits, the filmmaker shows himself as he truly is. And the audience sees him.
How does the play resonate today?
This work, while certainly drawing from my personal experiences, broadly explores our varied journeys across different countries, our constant ability to adapt, and our proficiency in multiple languages, which opens doors to the world. It addresses the predisposition to leave our country from childhood, a theme I directly tackle in the play. The work also discusses our unique relationship with Francophonie, the common mistakes we make in French upon arriving in France, and how the French perceive our cinema and culture. All this is conveyed through personal anecdotes that reflect my journey as a filmmaker, photographer, and screenwriter.
Why translate the play into French and what changes in your performance or interpretation?
I initially performed this play in Arabic in France, and many French spectators felt that it would benefit from a French rendition. Encouraged by my friends, I decided to take on the challenge. Scheduled by Marie-José Tyan at the Essaïon Theatre in Paris, I seized this opportunity to explore the relationships between France and Lebanon, the cultural differences, and the immediacy felt in exile, which naturally draws us to France due to our connection with the French language. However, there is a cultural gap that I explore with humor and self-mockery.
What are your feelings or apprehensions about performing in front of a French-speaking or French audience?
I wrote this play in French because I am a Francophone. Then, I translated it into Arabic to perform it in that language. Returning to French is somewhat of a readaptation. It is also a challenge to convey the same humor and to maintain the emotional intensity and the nuances of the words in Arabic. I am very curious to see how the French audience will react to this version. Although supported by French friends, I am eager to discover what this new challenge will bring.
