After studying film theory at the University of Paris III, Arlette Buvat became an editor and cameraman. She met Claire Simon and Luc Moullet, with whom she worked as first assistant director on several films. She then attended the Ateliers Varan and made two documentary films, both selected and awarded: Mise en pièces and 7,91 de l’heure, costume included.
Her feature-length documentary Exercise in Democracy, produced by SaNoSi and shot over a year in the third chamber (after the Senate and the National Assembly), explores the possibilities of building a collective political voice.
Transmission has always been part of her practice. She has taught screenwriting at the Institut International de l’Image et du Son and, for the same school, has accompanied documentary workshops, an activity she has taken up in many other structures.
DIRECTOR
“Exercise in Democracy” – Feature-length documentary produced by Jean-Marie Gigon, SaNoSi Productions, in co-production with LCP (2021–2025).
Access the film’s presentation booklet.
“On ne fera plus rentrer ses ailes dans l’enveloppe crevée” – Short film (2021)
Writing, cinematography, and direction.
“Les Corps de Jeanne” – Feature-length fiction project (2012–2016)
Collective writing residency at the Théâtre Saint-Gervais in Geneva and with Écran Libre.
“Ces chaises qui murmurent” – Documentary about Christian Boltanski (2008)
“7,91 de l’heure, costume compris” – Documentary co-produced by Les Films d’Ici / France 3.
Grand Prize at the Traces de Vies Festival (2007).
“Mise en pièces” – Documentary produced by Ateliers Varan.
Short Film Prize at the European First Documentary Film Competition in Le Mans (2004).
“Flo, cinq mois sur neuf” – Documentary (1999)
“Une petite robe à fleurs” – Short film (1998)
“Carole et Greg” – Short film for CEMEA (1996)
First director assistant
Ça brûle de Claire Simon, long-métrage fiction (2005)
Mimi de Claire Simon, long-métrage documentaire (2002)
Le litre de lait de Luc Moullet (2006)
Le système Szigmondy de Luc Moullet (2000)
Au champ d’honneur de Luc Moullet (1998)
