French Musical Film 'Elegir mi vida' Explores Melancholy Through Nostalgia

Amélie Bonnin has directed her debut feature film 'Elegir mi vida,' a musical that transforms nostalgia into its central theme. The movie expands upon her earlier short film of the same title, which previously earned several awards. Starring Juliette Armanet, Bastien Bouillon, and François Rollin, the 94-minute French production follows a woman who returns to her hometown after winning a cooking competition, confronting her past while pregnant and uncertain about motherhood. The film blends traditional realism with surreal musical sequences, drawing inspiration from Jacques Demy's work and the French New Wave's approach to genre. While praised for Armanet's performance, the film has been noted for its overwhelming focus on melancholy and its highly localized cultural references. It premiered in 2026.