Gilles Lellouche made a grand entrance at the Cannes press conference for his film Beating Hearts (L’amour Ouf), bringing along a stellar cast delegation to the 77th edition of the festival. With co-stars François Civil, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Mallory Wanecque, and Malik Frikah by his side, the stage was also occupied by seven other actors including Elodie Bouchez, Raphaël Quenard, Vincent Lacoste, and more. The film received an enthusiastic response from the audience at its world premiere, earning a 15-minute standing ovation at the Grand Théâtre Lumière.
Despite being primarily known for his acting roles with close to 80 credits to his name, Gilles Lellouche expressed his deep-rooted passion for directing. He mentioned that the older he gets, the more he enjoys the process of directing, as it nourishes him intellectually. Lellouche emphasized the responsibility that comes with directing, as the final product rests on the choices made by the director. He contrasted this with acting, highlighting the challenges and disappointments that can arise when the final outcome does not align with the initial vision.
Beating Hearts follows a modern retelling of the Romeo and Juliet tale, where former childhood sweethearts from contrasting backgrounds reunite after years apart. The story revolves around gang violence and false murder accusations that tear the couple apart, only for fate to bring them back together against all odds. The screenplay of the film, which took Lellouche 17 years to bring to the big screen, was praised for its promise and the director’s commitment to preserving its essence on film.
Actors like François Civil and Adèle Exarchopoulos lauded Gilles Lellouche’s directorial approach, labeling him as precise, reassuring, and committed. Exarchopoulos emphasized the sense of leadership Lellouche exuded on set, making everyone feel that he was the captain of the ship. Civil, who had previously worked with Lellouche on another project, commended the director’s talent and energy that he brought to the filmmaking process.
Beating Hearts is an adaptation of the novel “Jackie Loves Johnser OK?” by Irish writer Neville Thompson, set against the backdrop of Dublin’s tough suburb of Ballyfermot in the 1980s. The film captures the essence of the source material while infusing Lellouche’s unique storytelling and directorial vision. The combination of a compelling narrative and a talented cast has set the stage for Beating Hearts to become a standout entry at Cannes.
With a compelling storyline, a dedicated director, and a talented ensemble cast, Beating Hearts has all the elements to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the Cannes film festival. As Gilles Lellouche’s directorial journey continues to flourish, his creative vision and passion for storytelling are set to inspire future generations of filmmakers.