The remake 
of ‘Leaving the Factories’
by Michael Mann
 

Posted on 19.10.2025

As tradition dictates, the first film in cinema history gets a remake, directed by Michael Mann, honouree of the 2025 Lumière Award, again under the expert eye of director of photography Alain Choquart. 

© Sandrine Thesillat - Jean-Luc Mège Photography

This year, the Hangar du Premier-Film watches Isabelle Huppert (laureate of the 2024 Lumière Award), Laurent Laffitte, Raphaël Quenard, Michèle Laroque, Orelsan, Raphaël Personnaz, Marina Foïs, Camelia Jordana, Dominik Moll, Jean-Paul Salomé and Thierry Klifa waltz by. Bruno Bernard, President of the Lyon Metropolis, is also participating. The people of Lyon form a crowd, which includes Eva, 26, who explains, ‘I come here regularly. I love the atmosphere and seeing people come together to share the same passion’.

Michael Mann is right in the middle of everything, extremely focused on his mission and on his smartphone, which he treats like a camera. He uses his hands a lot to express himself, as if he were holding an invisible frame. ‘Space yourselves out, and when you arrive, take a few steps forward, but don't go left or right yet,” are the instructions from the American director, who already knows what he wants. He asks someone to stand in the front row and the other guests to stand three steps behind. After seven takes, three of them are screened to the ‘cast’.

The fourth take is considered the best! Take 7 is funny thanks to Michèle Laroque, who goes right up to the camera lens for a close up at the end of the scene, a kind of happy accident, strongly reminiscent of the Lumière brothers' style. Michael Mann understands that he is right at home here.

Fanny Bellocq

© Jean-Luc Mège Photography

Sofiane Zermani
© Sandrine Thesillat - Jean-Luc Mège Photography

Orelsan and Michèle Laroque
© Sandrine Thesillat - Jean-Luc Mège Photography