Lights camera action. We are now at the Cit du Cinma. This is a film studio complex in Saint-Denis a northern suburb of Paris. It stands as a testament to French cinema.
Luc Besson the film director and producer originally supported this complex. He envisioned it as a rival to Cinecitt in Rome. He wanted to compete with Pinewood in London and Babelsberg in Berlin. The Cit du Cinma opened on September 21 2012.
Let’s delve into the history of this cinematic hub. The facility was designed in 2000 by Luc Besson. The project officially started in 2004. It needed technical specifications and financial structures. Major film and television production companies supported the project. This strengthened Plaine Commune’s role in television studios and movie sets.
The Cit du Cinma was meant to open in May 2012. This would have coincided with the Cannes Film Festival. After delays it finally opened in September 2012. Many international movie stars and public figures attended. A short film showed the complex’s construction to the visiting guests.
In February 2022 Tarak Ben Ammar finalized a deal. He purchased Studios de Paris. Ben Ammar co-founded the Studios with Luc Besson. He acquired full ownership from former shareholders. These included Besson EuropaCorp and Euromedia.
The Cit du Cinma hosted several events. In May 2013 Garance Dor reported on the cole de la Cit. Luc Besson founded this school. Kering is a partner.
In May 2013 Bill Clinton visited the Cit du Cinma. He attended an event for 30 years of AIDS discovery. UNITAID organized the event. More than 400 public officials attended.
In October 2013 the Cit du Cinma launched movie nights. The inaugural event’s theme was Bollywood.
The VIP restaurant Le B.O. opened in October 2013. Many public figures attended the opening.
The FIA Prize Giving 2013 took place in December 2013. Luc Besson Jean Todt and motorsport personalities attended.
The Star Wars Identities exhibition was held from February to October 2014. It showcased over 200 original pieces from the Lucas Arts Museum.
The Harry Potter exhibition took place in 2015. Film sets costumes and creatures were on display.
The Jurassic World exhibition was held in 2018. Original creatures from the films were displayed.
Many tenants occupy the Cit du Cinma. These include Le B.O a VIP restaurant. There is also Blue Advertainment an advertising agency. Cinmatrans transports film equipment. La Cit des Enfants is a nursery. Digital Factory provides post-production studios. L’cole de la Cit is a film directing and screenwriting school. Guard Corp is a private security company. The cole nationale suprieure Louis-Lumire is also here. Other tenants include Make Up For Ever TV & Cinema Academy. There is also La N.E.F des acteurs a drama school and Next Shot an audiovisual rental company.
Several audiovisual production companies are located here. These include Ajoz Films Chez Wam EuropaCorp and Kissman Productions.
The Cit du Cinma spans 62000 m2 at the Pleyel Crossroads. The makeup school Make Up For Ever covers 500 m2. The mezzanine is 571 m2. The restaurant is 1129 m2. It has a cafeteria gym florist grocery store and nursery. The offices cover 4000 m2. The central nave is 4280 m2. The cole nationale suprieure Louis-Lumire occupies 8000 m2. The nine studios cover 9350 m2. EuropCorp’s headquarters spans 19000 m2.
The Cit du Cinma offers 40 parking spaces during the day. It has 150 in the evening. The auditorium seats 500 professionals. The stage is 18 meters long and 7 meters high.
The Cit du Cinma cost 140 million euros. Reichen and Robert were the architect office.
Several feature films have been shot here. These include Taken 2 The Family Lucy and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Television shows like Emily in Paris have also been filmed here.
The Cit du Cinma is accessible by car bus metro and RER.
As we conclude our tour remember the Cit du Cinma. It is more than just a studio. It is a symbol of cinematic ambition. It is a place where dreams are filmed.