Cannes Shocker: Real-Life Drama and Chart-Topping Hits Collide in Pathé’s Audacious Musical

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Filmmaker Amélie Bonnin wanted her feature debut to carry a personal imprint.

The director responsible for opening this year’s Cannes Film Festival, “Leave One Day“, had previously explored the idea of a contemporary jukebox musical with her award-winning short film “Bye Bye”. However, as she delved deeper into expanding the concept and seeking fresh songs, she found herself doubting her original direction.

Bonnin admits that she initially picked a male protagonist more by default than design. However, once she recognized this, she decided to take a new route. She felt compelled to offer a unique viewpoint – that of a forty-year-old woman juggling work, motherhood, and desire. To tell this story authentically, she wanted to use her own point of view.

Bonnin restructured her musical comedy-drama around the character of a chef on the rise, portrayed by renowned French pop artist Juliette Armanet, who goes back to her small-town roots to deal with a pressing family health issue and an unforeseen pregnancy — all while preparing to open her self-titled restaurant in Paris, mere days away.

In the city of Cannes, Bonnin will make her global debut, an impressive achievement considering she started her career in documentaries following her studies in applied arts.

She shares that her fascination has long been with narratives presented visually, be it through typography, photos, or drawings. Video entered the picture later on, initially used as a means to document her loved ones and their tales.

More than ten years ago, Bonnin embarked on a fresh journey while pursuing graphic design studies in Canada. During this time, she accidentally watched Raymond Depardon’s small-town documentary “Modern Life.” She was merely seeking comforting sights, but instead, she discovered her cinematic compass. As she recalls with a chuckle, the film left her in tears. Feeling overpowered and nostalgic, Bonnin reached for her headphones to find music that resonated with her feelings. This poignant moment has remained etched in her memory, serving as a constant inspiration for her own creative endeavors ever since.

Bonnin shares, “I enjoy crafting a soundtrack for my personal journey.” We all do this – whether it’s selecting tunes for a car ride, before a date, or listening to music after a heartbreak with our headphones. With the project ‘Leave One Day’, I aimed to translate that emotional experience onto the screen, not through elaborate songs, but by incorporating melodies that mirror real-life instances. It’s playful and deviates from conventional storytelling, yet it resonates universally because we’ve all experienced such moments.

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I embarked on composing an anthem for the everyday struggles by first assembling a playlist of hit songs and timeless Francophone classics. “These tunes shaped my era,” I remarked. “They needed to resonate immediately, and most importantly, they had to be tracks the characters would remember – like cherished recollections from their own pasts.

Afterward, she instructed her artists to sing every melody live, consistently encouraging an authentic and unscripted feel.

She clarifies that she struggles with abstract work, “Concrete experiences are what I prefer.” She continues, “Dubbing wasn’t a possibility for me. Instead, every emotion, every nuance had to be drawn from the present moment. Catching the authenticity of what was unfolding before us brought genuine satisfaction to the cast and crew. And knowing it’s real adds an extra punch – viewers can feel the immediacy of the joy.

Bonnin notes the enchantment in the instant of collective creation – transforming an idea into reality in a way that couldn’t happen otherwise. He credits Michel Gondry as a significant inspiration, emphasizing the collaborative effort involved and the thrill of watching the final product take shape right before our eyes.

Bonnin created the movie specifically for pop sensation Juliette Armanet, a highly acclaimed French singer who made her acting debut in Bonnin’s prior short film. In this project, Armanet remained on-screen throughout, skillfully maneuvering through the delightful pandemonium of a set that embraced flaws and imperfections.

Juliette is meticulous about managing her singing career, always aiming for perfection,” Bonnin chuckles. “I consistently challenged this by having her perform in ways unlike anything she’d done before. She wasn’t isolated in a booth with headphones, focusing solely on the song; instead, she had to consider how she interacted with her partner, all while skating backward and performing amidst a bustling crowd. It was overwhelming, but it served our purpose perfectly.

And that same approach might continue to suit Bonnin going forward.

Initially, she felt that since she had already created a film with music, it wasn’t an option for her again. However, now she ponders, why not? Music allows me to slightly escape reality and tap into a unique form of storytelling. This touch of fantasy amplifies the emotional depth as well.

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2025-05-13 00:10