Carax musical to open Cannes

Marion Cotillard in Annette, a musical directed by Leos Carax Photo: Courtesy of Cannes Film Festival

French director Leos Carax’s first film in English Annette, a musical with Marion Cotillard and Adam Driver, will open the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on 6 July.

The film, originally rumoured for last year’s festival, relates the tale of a stand-up comedian Henry (Driver) who has a fierce sense of humour and his relationship with international singer Ann (Cotillard). It’s set in contemporary Los Angeles and deals with the birth of their first child Annette, a mysterious infant who is destined to change their glamorous lives.

Carax, who was last in Cannes for the premiere of Holy Motors nine years ago, commissioned an original soundtrack composed by Sparks.

Director Leos Carax Photo: UniFrance

A statement from the festival organisers today said: “Mindful of the evolution of the public health situation in Europe and across the world, and the reopening of cultural venues mid-May, The Festival de Cannes continues with confidence and determination the planning of its next edition.”

It has also been announced that the rest of the official selection will be unveiled at the end of May.

Cannes Film Festival president Pierre Lescure said: “Every Leos Carax film is an event. And this one delivers on its promises. Annette is the gift that lovers of cinema, music and culture were hoping for, one that we have been yearning for during the past year.

“We couldn’t have dreamed of a more beautiful reunion with cinema and the silver screen, in the Palais des Festivals where films come to assert their splendour”, added Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate. “Carax’s cinema is an expression of these powerful gestures, these mysterious alchemies that makes the secret of cinema’s modernity and eternity.”

Watch the trailer: