"La Voie royale" - A Story of Dreams and Obstacles

A new film called "La Voie royale" has been released, directed by Frédéric Mermoud. The film tells the story of a girl from a farming background who dreams of attending the prestigious Polytechnique school to improve her social status. The movie follows her journey through the obstacles she faces in the "classes prépas" (preparatory classes) program.

The Impact of Location on the Story

Most of the film was shot in the Rhône region, with the Saint-Just high school in Lyon serving as one of the main locations. The choice of the high school as a filming location was not a coincidence. The imposing and majestic building of Saint-Just, like other prestigious provincial schools, adds to the austere atmosphere of the film. Sophie, played by Suzanne Jouannet, fights tirelessly to escape her farmer's daughter background. The director, Frédéric Mermoud, explains that the architecture and the magic of the location contribute to Sophie's feeling of not belonging in such a prestigious environment.

Challenging the Elitist Education System

"La Voie royale" sheds light on the elitist education system in France and the challenges faced by students from non-privileged backgrounds. Sophie, a brilliant student passionate about mathematics and physics, struggles to adapt to the competitive and demanding environment of the preparatory classes. Unlike most of her classmates, she does not possess the social codes necessary to navigate this world. The film explores themes of social mobility and the pressure to succeed in a highly competitive academic setting.

Words of the day

Polytechnique : Polytechnique

prépas : preparatory classes