L’Abandon, the film by Vincent Garenq about the final eleven days in the life of Samuel Paty, opens in cinemas on September 23, 2026. This fresh release comes four months after its initial May 13 debut and its out-of-competition bow at the Cannes Film Festival 2026. According to UGC Distribution, the feature drew nearly 700,000 viewers during its first theatrical run.
Antoine Reinartz portrays Samuel Paty, the history and geography teacher killed on October 16, 2020, outside his middle school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. Drawing on material from investigations and trials, the film traces the ten-day arc that led to his death: the spread of accusations against him, the rising tensions, and the teacher’s gradual isolation.
The screenplay, written by Vincent Garenq and Alexis Kebbas, is loosely based on Stéphane Simon’s book The Last Days of Samuel Paty, published in 2023 with the collaboration of Mickaëlle Paty. Alongside Antoine Reinartz, the cast includes Emmanuelle Bercot, Nedjim Bouizzoul, Emma Boumali and Azize Kabouche.
This re-release comes with an educational program aimed at schools. According to the distributor, the Ministry of National Education is once again promoting screenings for the 2026-2027 academic year. A teaching pack dedicated to the film is provided for teachers to help plan and extend classroom sessions with their students.
Meet-and-greets with the film’s team are also lined up in several cities and festivals, including Montélimar’s Festival De l’écrit à l’écran, Cinéroman in Nice, the Festival du film de la page à l’image in Le Croisic, and the Rendez-vous de l’histoire in Blois. Details on screenings and participants should be confirmed with each event.
To extend your in-theater experience, explore September’s cinema releases, the films you should see right now, and our pick of the year’s dramatic highlights.
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