Pierre Salvadori’s ambitious period comedy “La Vénus électrique” is set to premiere on opening night of the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on May 12.
As per Cannes rules, the film – which marks Salvadori’s 11th feature film — will also open in movie theaters across France on the same day.
“Cannes celebrates everything I love about cinema,” Salvadori said. “Direction, boldness, freedom, and filmmakers. Cannes discovers them, supports them, and celebrates them. In its own way, my film embodies all the faith and love I have for my craft,” he continued.
Set in Paris, in the Roaring Twenties, the film “draws inspiration from sophisticated Hollywood comedy, with its brisk pace, confusion between lies and truth, and precision in writing and direction,” says Cannes’ release, which also describes the French director as a “fervent admirer of Ernst Lubitsch, Billy Wilder and Blake Edwards.”
The starry French cast is led by Pio Marmaï (“The Divide”), Anaïs Demoustier (“The Count of Monte Cristo”) and Gilles Lellouche (who last directed “Beating Hearts”). Vimala Pons and Gustave Kervern complete the cast. It’s produced by Philippe Martin at Les Films Pelléas (“Anatomy of a Fall”).
“La Vénus électrique” follows “Leave One Day,” Amélie Bonnin’s first feature film, which opened last year’s edition.
Cannes’ opening ceremony will be hosted by French actor Eye Haïdara on May 12 and will be broadcast live on France Télévisions and Brut. As previously announced, the festival will pay tribute to Barbra Streisand and Peter Jackson who will each receive an honorary Palme d’Or. The jury will be presided over by celebrated South Korean director, screenwriter and producer Park Chan-wook, who will succeed Juliette Binoche.
Curated by Thierry Fremaux, the lineup will be unveiled on April 9 at a press conference.
