Filmstiftung-backed musical "Annette" opens Festival de Cannes 2021

• Leos Carax’s musical to screen in the official competition of the 74th Festival de Cannes
• Starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard
• Fabian Gasmia is German co-producer with DETAiLFILM
• The German shoot took place in North Rhine-Westphalia
• Festival de Cannes from 6 to 17 July, 2021

The Filmstiftung-backed international co-production "Annette" by Leos Carax with Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard will celebrate its world premiere as the opening film on 6 July, 2021 and also be in competition at the 74th Festival de Cannes. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW supported the musical with a total of Euros 500,000.

"We are delighted that the film region of NRW will have a presence in Cannes, the world’s most important festival, with 'Annette' now invited as the opening film and screening in competition! But, above all, our congratulations go to the director Leos Carax, the German producer Fabian Gasmia and the whole team!", says Petra Müller, CEO of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.

"What a great honour to be able to open the Cannes Film Festival. 'Annette' by Leos Carax is a very special film which completed filming shortly before the outbreak of the pandemic at locations on four continents, including ten days of shooting in NRW," says co-producer Fabian Gasmia, DETAiLFILM.

About the film:
All of Hollywood now only knows one subject: the relationship of Ann DelGreco, the graceful opera singer, with Henry McHenry, the coarse stand-up comedian. But it’s not long before a tragic accident tears a hole in the flawless façade of the two lovers and their daughter Annette reveals a mysterious talent. 'Annette' gave the exceptional director Leos Carax (‚The Lovers on the Bridge‘) the chance to fulfil a childhood dream: direct a musical. The music comes from the legendary 1980s musicians Sparks. Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard and Simon Helberg are in the leads. Other producers besides DETAiLFILM are France’s CG Cinéma and Belgium’s Wrong Men and Scope Pictures. Filming in North Rhine-Westphalia took place in Vogelsang, Cologne, Münster, Mönchengladbach and at Düsseldorf Airport. Additional funding came from the German-French Mini-Traité (FFA/CNC), Eurimages and CNC.

The Festival de Cannes will be held from 6 – 17 July 2021.

For further information: Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Erna Kiefer, Tel.: 0211-93050-22,