THE Cannes Film Festival has rolled out the red carpet for an unconventional opening film — a low-budget French romantic comedy set in a small village, focusing on a working-class narrative rather than celebrity glamour.

Amelie Bonnin’s Live One Day (Partir Un Jour) weaves musical elements into a story about Cecile, an aspiring chef aiming to open a gourmet restaurant in Paris. She returns to her hometown after learning of her father's illness, only to discover he is out of the hospital and still working at their modest family restaurant, popular with truck drivers.

Cecile soon reconnects with friends, her ex-boyfriend, mother and especially her father. The narrative is a tribute to authenticity and reflection, celebrating the essence of rural life. Through cooking, Cecile rediscovers life’s true zest, defined not by wealth and successes but by genuine emotions and true relationships, capturing the spirit of a small community as a joyful space for freedom and decision-making.