A Magnificent Life
The latest film from Sylvain Chomet (The Illusionist, The Triplets of Belleville) is a beautifully poetic animated portrait of the life of Marcel Pagnol.
French filmmaker Sylvain Chomet is known for his breathtakingly beautiful hand-drawn animations. Chomet’s works have been a rare treat for animation lovers – it’s been over a decade since his last feature film The Illusionist (R&A 2010). Chomet made his long-awaited return this spring at the Cannes Film Festival, where this new film, delving into the life of Marcel Pagnol, had its premiere.
A Magnificent Life tells the story of the legendary French writer and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol, focusing on the writing process of one of his autobiographical works. When a women’s magazine commissions a serialised story from Pagnol, he decides to depict the events of his own life. As he begins to write, Pagnol comes face to face with himself – with the young Marcel of his childhood – who helps him revisit his memories, from his early years in Marseille to the dawn of sound cinema, the founding of a major film studio, and personal tragedies.
The story unfolds in Chomet’s unique style through stunning, hand-drawn images. The film was co-written with Marcel Pagnol’s grandson, Nicolas Pagnol.
Inari Ylinen