Carax musical to open Cannes

Cotillard and Driver star in director’s first English foray

by Richard Mowe

Marion Cotillard in Annette, a musical directed by Leos Carax
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
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:

Share this with others on...
News

Divine transformation Eriko Katagiri on the itako tradition and When You Open The Door

Learning to let go Gloria Mercer and Bethany Brown on filming sex, drugs and A Safe Distance

Framing a feature Michele Fiascaris on expanding his short Rain Catcher into a rain-slicked noir thriller

A heroine of the people Avid Liongoren on the Filipino animation industry and Zsazsa Zaturnnah

The girl who didn't want to be happy Julien Birban Levy on the spirit of Seoul and getting inside the head of Niko

Spirit of the art Takeru Shinozuka and Yoshihide Moriyama on animation and Foxing: Kitsuné-Tsuki

More news and features

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


Dinard Amira Casar to head jury, plus opening film announced


San Sebastian Leigh, Naishtat and Larraín among those joining line-up


Fantasia Nighborn is Cheval Noir Best Film; full list of award winners announced


Frightfest Full line-up announced


Sarajevo Festival to honour Asghar Farhadi and present tribute programme