Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due is a 2025 French romantic drama film produced, co-written, and directed by Abdellatif Kechiche. The film is the third and final installment in Kechiche's Mektoub, My Love series, following Canto Uno (2017) and Intermezzo (2019). As its predecessors, it is based on 2011 novel La Blessure, la vraie by François Bégaudeau. It stars Shaïn Boumedine, Ophélie Bau, Salim Kechiouche, and Andre Jacobs.[1][2]
The film release date in France, or elsewhere, remains unknown since Pathé dropped Intermezzo (2019) distribution deal after Bau off-set dispute over a explicit sex scene inclusion in its final cut, and Kechiche production company insolvent status.
Synopsis
After completing his studies in Paris, Amin returns to Sète with his passion for film still burning. A chance encounter with a vacationing American producer brings unexpected interest in his screenplay, The Essential Elements of Universal Existence, and the producer suggests his wife Jess for the lead role. But destiny, with its unpredictable whims, has other plans in store.
Following Intermezzo (2019) world premiere, Bau and Kechiche had a fallout due to the inclusion of a 13-minute unsimulated sex scene in the final cut, which alongside Kechiche's production company insolvent status, led Canto Due to a post-production limbo of nearly 7 years.
Release
Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due will have its World Premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 9 August 2025, and compete for Golden Leopard.[9][10] Kechiche was absent due to a recent stroke, while the main cast and line producer Riccardo Marchegiani attended the press Q&A. When asked about the Intermezzo (2019) off-set allegations, Bau declined any comments on it, while other cast members defended the filmmaker and the film.[11]
Reception
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rated the film two stars out of five, and gave negative review, calling the film "another heady dose of flirting, farce and bafflement."[12]
However, the film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from French critics. AlloCiné reported that French critics were "charmed by this sequel," noting that unlike the divisive reception of Intermezzo, "for this new installment, all critics are enthusiastic."[13]Libération described it as "magnificent reunions" featuring "between sitcom parody and melancholy of blocked destinies."[14]Le Monde called the film "sensual" and "furiously funny."[15]Trois Couleurs praised it as "surprising in its restraint" and described it as concluding "a work already legendary" with "a mixture of mischief and twilight beauty."[16]
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