Vincent Lindon plays a railway worker in “Playing with Fire”
The French actor plays an overhead line technician in his latest film, released on 22 January 2025 and directed by Muriel and Delphine Coulin. In a behind-the-scenes video, he explains how he prepared for this demanding role with the help of two SNCF employees who gave him an inside track on the gestures, the job and the lingo.
A successful shoot
From the opening scene, co-directors Delphine and Muriel Coulin sweep viewers into the life of railworker Pierre, an overhead lineman at SNCF played by Vincent Lindon.
The shoot took 6 months of rigorous preparation with the help of SNCF’s Cinéma & Tournages unit. Real-life linemen Thierry Joint and Robert Lavignon from Infrapôle Sud-Est worked closely with Lindon, teaching him the gestures, techniques and lingo of the trade. Their guidance lent authenticity to scenes showcasing Pierre’s daily work.
And the dedication paid off: Lindon won Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024. In a behind-the-scenes video, he reflects on the special bond he formed with the two linemen, who shared their passion for the job and inspired his performance.
Vincent Lindon talks about his role as a rail worker in “Playing with Fire”
Dramatic settings, wide open spaces
In a second video, Muriel and Delphine Coulin, co-directors of “Playing with Fire”, explain how they shot scenes on SNCF sidings, and applaud the contribution of our two employees—whose work as extras in one scene added to the authenticity.
They also express their admiration for the scope and aesthetics of our rail spaces, with a tip of the hat to the historical links between film and rail.
Interview with Muriel and Delphine Coulin, co-directors of “Playing with Fire”
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