Leos Carax Musical to Open Cannes 2021

BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN

The Cannes Film Festival has announced that Leos Carax’s Los Angeles-based musical “Annette”, starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, will open the 2021 edition of the world-famous film festival. The film will also screen In Competition for the fest’s top prize, the Palme d’Or.

“Annette” will mark Carax’s return to Cannes competition following his last film, 2012’s “Holy Motors”.

Originally set to premiere at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “Annette” stars Driver as a stand-up comedian and Cotillard as his wife, a world-famous opera singer. Their glamorous LA life takes an unexpected turn when their daughter, Annette, is botn. Simon Helberg co-stars. The film features original music from the band Sparks.

“Annette” is the first film the 2021 Cannes Film Festival has announced. Other films from the 2020 slate, like Wes Anderson’s “The French Exit”, are expected to be among the official lineup. The complete lineup will be announced in May.

The 2021 Cannes Film Festival will run from July 6 to July 17. “Annette” will opens in French cinemas the same day it premieres at the festival. It will open in the U.S., via Amazon, later this summer.

View the first trailer below.