The Coming of the Future is the latest feature film by Cédric Klapisch, co-written with Santiago Amigorena. This 2-hour and 6-minute dramedy, starring a diverse, multi-generational cast, will be showcased out of competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival — a first for the filmmaker in the official selection. The film is set to hit French theaters on May 22, 2025. It features performances by Suzanne Lindon, Abraham Wapler, Vincent Macaigne, Julia Piaton, Sara Giraudeau, Cécile de France, Zinedine Soualem, Paul Kircher, and Vassili Schneider.
Today, in 2025, about thirty members of the same family find out they are set to inherit a house that has been abandoned for decades. Four of them — Seb, Abdel, Céline, and Guy — are tasked with assessing its condition. As they explore this timeless, frozen-in-time residence, they uncover surprising historical treasures: old photographs, journals, paintings, and forgotten objects.
These echoes of the past lead them to follow in the footsteps of Adèle, a young woman who left Normandy at age 20 to move to Paris in 1895. The story seamlessly shifts between two eras, the late 19th century — a time of the industrial revolution, the rise of photography, and the birth of Impressionism — and the year 2025. This clash of time periods prompts the characters to reflect on their family history, their ideals, and their views on progress.
The project continues Cédric Klapisch's long-standing fascination with Paris before 1900. From his very first short film, Ce qui me meut, the director was already exploring that era. With La Venue de l’avenir, he fulfills a dream: creating a period costume film that pays homage to a Paris long gone, inspired by photographers like Eugène Atget, Charles Marville, and Nadar, whose images have deeply influenced the visual imagination of the movie.
The screenplay writing process began with in-depth research conducted alongside Santiago Amigorena. Together, they explored Normandy and visited numerous museums—including Orsay, Marmottan, Le Havre, and Honfleur—while grounding their work in foundational texts like Scenes from the Life of a Bohemian by Henri Murger. This historical immersion informs the story, which weaves together themes of family legacy and artistic heritage, examining how painting and photography capture and preserve the memory of people and places.
The film also offers a meditation on technological progress. The toggling between 1895 and 2025 highlights both the advancements in technology and their societal implications, inviting viewers to question modernity through the critical perspectives of various characters. Klapisch continues to explore a theme that has recurred in his recent work: the power of transmission, now expanded to encompass a broader historical and aesthetic scope.
The recreation of Paris in 1895 posed a significant logistical challenge. Carriages, horses, omnibuses, and extras in period costumes required meticulous planning, far removed from the filmmaker’s more spontaneous methods. Visually, director of photography Alexis Kavyrchine crafted an aesthetic inspired by autochromes and Impressionism, with shots reminiscent of Monet or Degas. The historic sequences were filmed using anamorphic lenses, while the modern-day scenes feature a crisper image, captured with spherical lenses.
The music, composed by Rob, serves as another bridge between eras. For the first time, Cédric Klapisch teams up with this composer, who creates an instrumental soundtrack that recalls the influences of Debussy and Satie, while maintaining a modern sensibility. The score underpins the film’s introspective tone without overwhelming the emotional moments.
Premiered out of competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, La Venue de l’avenir marks a significant milestone in Cédric Klapisch's career, as highlighted by Thierry Frémaux during the official selection press conference at the Festival de Cannes.
The Coming of the Future
Film | 2025
In theaters: May 22, 2025
Streaming on Canal+ starting February 3, 2026
Drama-comedy | Runtime: 2h06
Directed by Cédric Klapisch | Starring Suzanne Lindon, Abraham Wapler, Vincent Macaigne
Country: France
Through this intimate and historical tapestry, La Venue de l’avenir offers a meditation on time, memory, and lineage, returning to the ensemble-style cinema that Cédric Klapisch is known for. The film weaves together contemporary observation and a sense of patrimonial heritage, avoiding overt nostalgia, with a thoughtful direction that highlights the connections between different eras.
For even more options, check out our curated list of must-see movies, TV shows, and specials on this week's television schedule. Explore our guide to the latest releases across all streaming platforms, and don't miss our daily pick: what to watch today in streaming.
