The Electric Venus, the new film from Pierre Salvadori, will open the 79th Cannes Film Festival before its theatrical release on May 13, 2026. The announcement immediately places the feature in the spotlight of contemporary French cinema, with a Paris-set story at the end of the 1920s and a leading trio headed by Pio Marmaï, Anaïs Demoustier and Gilles Lellouche.
The Electric Venus
Film | 2026
Theatrical release: May 13, 2026
Dramedy, historical drama
Directed by Pierre Salvadori | Starring Pio Marmaï, Anaïs Demoustier, Gilles Lellouche, Vimala Pons
Nationality: France
For Pierre Salvadori, this selection as the opening-night film of the Cannes Film Festival 2026 immediately brings visibility to an original project, built around a painter struck by grief, a spiritual imposture, and a love story that tightens around a backdrop of pretense.
The plot follows Antoine Balestro, a rising young painter who’s unable to touch up his work after the death of his wife. In a bid to reach her through a clairvoyant, he actually ends up speaking with Suzanne, a carnival performer who has slipped into his trailer to steal a meal. With help from Armand, Antoine’s gallery owner, she orchestrates a string of fake séances, while the painter gradually rediscovers his inspiration.
The film also teams Benoît Graffin with Pierre Salvadori on the screenplay. Set in 1928 and anchored by a spiritism motif, it fuses a period chronicle, a comedy of imposture, and a sentimental drama, though early details available stop short of deeper tonal exploration. The narrative tension centers on the balance between the deception orchestrated by Suzanne and the emotional bond that forms with the man she is manipulating.
The cast features well-known faces from contemporary French cinema. Pio Marmaï portrays the grieving painter, Anaïs Demoustier plays Suzanne, and Gilles Lellouche portrays Armand, the art dealer who accompanies the deception. Vimala Pons is also among the announced performers.
The first footage from the film was unveiled as part of its Cannes announcement. It mainly confirms the period setting, the film’s emotional throughline, and the central role of deception at the heart of the tale.
To keep the theater experience going, check out this month's cinema releases, the must-see films currently playing, and our pick of the standout French films of the year.
