The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will be opened by Pierre Salvadori’s French-Belgian co-production, The Electric Kiss, which notably stars Pio Marmaï, Anaïs Demoustier, Gilles Lellouche and Vimala Pons in its cast.

Acclaimed in Cannes’ 2018 Directors’ Fortnight for The Trouble With You, the filmmaker wrote the screenplay for his 11th feature with Benoît Graffin and Benjamin Charbit. The story takes us to early 20th century Paris. Convinced that he’s responsible for the death of his wife Irène, fashionable painter Antoine Balestro is no longer able to work and is driving art dealer Armand to distraction. One evening, in search of forgiveness, Antoine tries to get in contact with Irène while drunk by way of a medium. He doesn’t realise that he’s actually talking to Suzanne, a penniless sideshow performer who knows nothing about the afterlife and who only snuck into the clairvoyant’s caravan in the hope of stealing some food…

The Electric Kiss was produced by Philippe Martin and David Thion on behalf of Les Films Pelléas, in co-production with France 2 Cinéma and Belgian firm Versus Production. Distribution in French cinemas (taking place on the same evening as the film’s Cannes-based world premiere) will fall to Diaphana, while world sales are steered by Goodfellas.

The press conference unveiling the festival’s Official Selection will be held on 9 April.