The 23rd season of Tout l’art du cinéma will launch on Tuesday 22nd September at 7pm at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, opening with Jacques Tati’s monumental comedy, Playtime.

Shown in French with subtitles, the 125-minute film takes viewers into a futuristic Paris made of glass buildings, wide halls, and busy bus routes. The story follows a group of American tourists arriving from Orly airport and Monsieur Hulot, who gets lost in a tall office building filled with elevators while trying to meet a busy boss.

The pinnacle of visual satire

Film critic Patrice Blouin said that Playtime stands as Tati’s greatest and most important work. While his earlier films—such as Jour de fête, Les Vacances de monsieur Hulot, and Mon oncle—are remembered for their charming and innocent style, his later work introduces a much sharper, clearer vision. In Playtime, Tati uses 1960s industrial design and modern architecture to turn a simple physical comedy into a completely new way of looking at the urban world, moving far beyond standard social satire.

From sportsman to cinematic visionary 

Organised by the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco, the screening also shines a light on the unique background of the filmmaker himself. Long before stepping behind the camera, Jacques Tati was an accomplished sportsman who excelled at rugby, tennis, and horse riding. He discovered his comedic talent early on, entertaining friends before moving smoothly to music-hall stages and becoming a recognised mime.

A rare and enduring legacy 

His transition into cinema broke all the traditional rules of the era. He directed his breakout film, Jour de fête in 1948, by shooting entirely on real locations using non-professional actors, paying little attention to heavy dialogue or complex plot lines. This bold approach proved that cinema could be both deeply artistic and immensely popular. Though he directed only six feature films in total, Tati permanently changed the language of visual comedy by embracing new sound design and creative spatial styling.

Ticketing and practical information 

Tickets for the opening night cost €8 for standard admission and €4 for people under 25 or DASO cardholders. Complete booking details and further information can be obtained directly through the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco.

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Photo Credit: Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco