“La vie magnifique de Marcel Pagnol” at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival

Contents

Red carpet at Cannes 2025 for the “La vie magnifique de Marcel Pagnol” Team.

The film “La vie magnifique de Marcel Pagnol” by Sylvain Chomet was screened out of competition on Saturday, April 17, 2025. The Pagnol family and Laurent Lafitte, who lends his voice to the great Marseille writer and filmmaker, attended the projection. Thierry Frémaux reminded the audience that Marcel Pagnol would have turned 130 this year, underlining the importance of honoring this pioneer of sound cinema.

A family-driven, creative project

Nicolas Pagnol, the writer’s grandson, initiated the project. He collaborated with Sylvain Chomet for eight years to bring this animated film to life. Marseille rapper SCH performs an original song, and Géraldine Pailhas voices Augustine, Marcel’s mother. This family and artistic partnership showcases the passion and perseverance needed to celebrate Pagnol’s work.

A dual-perspective narrative

“La vie magnifique de Marcel Pagnol”: an original narrative concept.

“La vie magnifique de Marcel Pagnol” introduces an inventive narrative device: a younger double of Marcel. This little boy, identical to Marcel as a child, appears as an inner guide. He helps the older Pagnol gather his memories. Together, they retrace the writer’s life, from his native Aubagne to the first experiments with sound cinema in London. This mirrored structure lets viewers revisit twentieth-century history through the filmmaker’s eyes.

Richly detailed animation

Sylvain Chomet’s tribute to Raimu, Fresnay, and Demazis.

Sylvain Chomet’s drawings overflow with detail. We discover Provence, its hills, and the Bar de la Marine. Chomet pays tribute to original actors Pierre Fresnay, Orane Demazis, and Jules Raimu. Black-and-white archival footage blends seamlessly into the colorful animation, creating a poetic contrast. Every set evokes memory and emotion.

Music and sound design

Stefano Bollani’s score accompanies each scene, reflecting both Provence and the eras Marcel traversed. The sound effects and mixing were crafted with care. Everyday Marseille sounds and station atmospheres immerse the viewer completely. The audio work deepens the film’s emotion and poetry.

Release in France on October 15, 2025

“La vie magnifique de Marcel Pagnol” runs 1h 30. It premieres in France on October 15, 2025, distributed by Wild Bunch Distribution. Internationally, it is titled “The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol.” For more information, see the full article on France Info.