From the Cannes press release:
On Tuesday, May 12, to launch the festivities of the 79th Festival de Cannes, French director and screenwriter Pierre Salvadori’s new film will premiere at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, following the opening ceremony hosted by actress Eye Haïdara.
At the same time, La Vénus électrique will also be screened in movie theaters across France, offering audiences a chance to gather in harmony around this delightfully burlesque romantic comedy.
“Cannes celebrates everything I love about cinema, Pierre 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. I am so proud and happy that it’s kicking off the Festival!”
A leading figure of highly acclaimed French comedies, Pierre Salvadori presents his 11th feature film in 34 years. He brings together the stars of contemporary French cinema and sets his period fable, a first in his filmography, against the backdrop of the bustling Paris of the early 20th century. His recurring themes remain ever-present, however: lies, ambiguity, and pretense. The imaginings of the Roaring Twenties, marked by artistic effervescence, popular entertainment, and spiritualism, permeate this film, which remains faithful to the poetic cinema of Pierre Salvadori, who blends narrative freedom, melancholy, and humor like no other. Drawing inspiration from sophisticated Hollywood comedy, with its brisk pace, confusion between lies and truth, and precision in writing and direction, this fervent admirer of Ernst Lubitsch, Billy Wilder and Blake Edwards creates unique, novelistic worlds rooted in a social reality that explores human relationships and the vulnerabilities of battered characters on their difficult quest for happiness.
True to form, Pierre Salvadori offers his actors unparalleled creative freedom. The dazzling cast of La Vénus électrique brings together actors who are regulars on the Croisette and beloved by the general public. Leading the way, Pio Marmaï (The Divide, Competition 2021) marks his fourth collaboration with Pierre Salvadori following In the Courtyard(2014), The Trouble with You (2018), andLa Petite Bande (2022). Anaïs Demoustier (The Count of Monte Cristo, Out of Competition 2024; Along Came Love, Cannes Premiere 2023; November, Out of Competition 2022) is reunited with Gilles Lellouche (Beating Hearts, Competition 2024; The Stronghold, Out of Competition 2021; Sink or Swim, Out of Competition 2018), following Smoking Causes Coughing (Midnight Screening 2022). They are joined by Vimala Pons and Gustave Kervern, two distinctive talents who skillfully tread the line between drama and comedy.
Ever since writing his first screenplay—which would become his debut film, Wild Target (1993), four years later—Pierre Salvadori has been working with producer Philippe Martin of Les Films Pelléas, who has produced all of his films since his 1992 short film, Ménage.
La Vénus électrique follows Leave One Day, Amélie Bonnin’s first feature film, which opened the 78th Festival de Cannes.
Paris, 1928.
A young painter in vogue, Antoine Balestro, has been unable to paint since his wife died, much to the despair of his gallery owner, Armand.
One drunken evening, Antoine tries to contact his wife through a psychic. Unbeknownst to him, he is actually speaking with Suzanne, a humble carnival worker who has sneaked into the trailer to steal food. Suzanne proves to be a gifted fraudster, and, soon aided by Armand, she stages one fake séance after another.
Little by little, Antoine regains his inspiration, but the situation gets complicated for Suzanne as she finds herself falling in love with the man she is manipulating…
Cast: Pio Marmaï, Anaïs Demoustier, Gilles Lellouche, Vimala Pons, Gustave Kervern, Madeleine Baudot
Screenplay: Benjamin Charbit, Benoît Graffin, Pierre Salvadori, based on an original idea by Rebecca Zlotowski and Robin Campillo
Dialogue: Pierre Salvadori
Cinematography: Julien Poupard, AFC
Set design: Angelo Zamparutti
Art direction and costumes: Virginie Montel
Editing: Anne-Sophie Bion
Production: Les Films Pelléas
Co-production: Versus, France 2 Cinéma, Pio & Co, Tovo Films, RTBF (Belgian Television), BeTV, Orange, Proximus
French release: May 12, 2026
Distribution: Diaphana Distribution
International Sales: Goodfellas
