A Monument Celebrated in Cinema and TV
The Last Duel – Ridley Scott
In The Last Duel, the story is set in 1386, a time when Notre-Dame Cathedral was still under construction. To authentically recreate this historical period, the MPC Paris team digitally modeled the structure, adding scaffolding and a typical medieval Parisian urban landscape. Around ten shots featuring the digital cathedral were crafted to accurately capture this historical ambiance.
The MPC Paris teams, led by Yann Blondel (VFX Supervisor) and Kristina Prilukova (VFX Producer), created a total of 220 shots for the film.
Notre-Dame, la Part du Feu – Hervé Hadmar et Olivier Bocquet
Notre-Dame, la Part du Feu, a Netflix series, recounts the night of April 15, 2019, when the cathedral was struck by fire. MPC Paris teams, led by Laurent Creusot (VFX Supervisor) and Yann Nivet (VFX Producer), produced over 155 VFX shots.
One standout moment is a fully 3D-rendered scene showing the cathedral’s interior from a firefighter’s perspective. This sequence included intricate details such as columns, the Pietà, statues, and furnishings. The dramatic depiction of the flaming spire’s collapse, digitally created, required meticulous work to convey the event’s gravity.
Notre-Dame Brûle – Jean-Jacques Annaud
This docudrama delves into the details of the 2019 fire and the firefighters’ efforts to contain it. MPC Paris contributed 385 VFX shots, overseen by Hugues Namur and Lise Fischer. These scenes included hyper-realistic depictions of the fire’s progression and the structure’s collapse.
The team’s work was recognized with the Best Visual Effects award at the 48th César Awards, highlighting the rigor and quality of their results.
Between Fiction and Dystopia
Super-Héros Malgré Lui – Philippe Lacheau
In this French comedy, a humorous storyline features a second destruction of Notre-Dame. MPC Paris teams, led by Cyrille Bonjean, collaborated with the director to design a standout sequence in line with the film’s lighthearted tone.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – Created by David Zabel
In this post-apocalyptic spin-off of The Walking Dead, the cathedral is shown covered in lush vegetation after 12 years of abandonment—complete with its spire, as the fire never occurred! MPC Paris teams, led by Niranjan Sivagurunathan, created around 20 shots to bring this transformed vision of Notre-Dame to life.
Expertise in Service of History and Creativity
MPC Paris continues to contribute to diverse projects, exploring various facets of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Whether recreating historical events or imagining alternative futures, MPC Paris’s work showcases the impact of technology in the arts.
Notre-Dame holds a special place for the team, as their Parisian office offers a direct view of this iconic monument. The day of the 2019 fire remains etched in their memories, and they follow its reconstruction with deep emotion. It stands as a living testament to history and resilience, inspiring their daily work.
