The Opening Film of the 79th Cannes Film Festival: Pierre Salvadori’s “La Venus Électrique”

A romantic comedy set in Paris in 1928. One of the most discussed films at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, uniting director Pierre Salvadori with France’s leading stars.

On May 12, 2026, the latest work by French cinema maestro Pierre Salvadori, “La Venus Électrique”, has been officially and strikingly chosen as the opening film of the “79th Cannes Film Festival”, capturing significant global attention. The film will have its world premiere at the Lumière Grand Theatre right after the opening ceremony, with the event hosted by actor Eye Haïdara. Simultaneously, the film has secured theatrical releases across France, further increasing anticipation among international audiences.

With 34 years in the film industry, director Salvadori presents his 11th feature and his first period drama. Set meticulously in 1920s Paris, the film vividly revives the essence of the “Roaring Twenties”—a time when deception and showmanship, along with mass entertainment and the occult, intertwined. His signature freewheeling storytelling and sharp comic instincts are prominently featured, as the director brings the crisp craftsmanship of classic Hollywood comedy into a modern context.

“La Venus Électrique” takes place in 1928 Paris, depicting the uncanny yet fated meeting between a painter on the brink of death and a destitute member of a traveling troupe. The city’s renowned painter, Antoine Balastreau, who has lost his beloved wife and fallen into despair, breaks his brush and tries to contact his late wife through a medium. However, he becomes entangled with a con artist, Suzanne, who sneaks in to steal food, leading to an unexpected disaster and sparking a burst of creativity. What begins as a fragile, scam-driven connection gradually blossoms into artistic inspiration and an overwhelming love, captivating audiences with high-stakes drama.

A star-studded cast that propels contemporary French cinema is a must-see for many reasons. A flawless ensemble takes over the screen with Cannes-favored leading actors, including Pio Marmai, Anaïs Demoustier, and Gilles Lellouche. Production is managed by the renowned company Les Films Pelléas, and the film opens Cannes in a way that promises to illuminate the festival’s night on May 12, 2026.