Playtime has taken on international sales rights to Pierre Salvadori’s The Electric Kiss (La Vénus Electrique) ahead of its world premiere on May 12 as Cannes Film Festival’s opening night film.
Set in Paris in 1928, the film stars Pio Marmai as a painter at the height of his fame who, after losing inspiration after the death of his wife, is tricked into believing he is communicating with his deceased spouse by his gallery owner. Vimala Pons, Gilles Lellouche and Anais Demoustier round out the cast.
Salvadori penned the script with Benjamin Charbit and Benoit Graffin based on an original idea by Rebecca Zlotowski.
The film is produced by Palme d’Or-winning Anatomy Of A Fall and It Was Just An Accident producers Les Films Pelléas. Co-producers are France’s Pio & Co, Belgium’s Versus Production, and Salvadori under his Tovo Films banner, with the participation of France 2 Cinéma. Diaphana will release the film theatrically in France on the same day as its Cannes premiere.
Salvadori said: “I hope my characters, in their humanity and in their sometimes contradictory impulses, will resonate with everyone and that each and every one will see a part of themselves in this love story.”
Philippe Martin of Les Films Pelléas added: “Pierre Salvadori delivers one of his finest films, firmly placing himself in the great tradition of classic romantic comedies. Having collaborated with a filmmaker for over thirty years, for whom the language of comedy is so instinctive, is one of the greatest joys of my professional life.”
Sébastien Beffa, managing director at Playtime, said: “Great romantic comedies are few and far between. When one delivers on all its promises, with a great director at the helm and a strong production team behind it – Playtime came on board as soon as it was offered the film.”
The 79th Cannes Film Festival runs May 12-23. The full selection will be unveiled in Paris on Thursday (April 9).
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