Roma elastica (2026)

Roma elastica is a 2026 French-Italian drama, comedy, thriller, horror, and fantasy film written and directed by Bertrand Mandico. Starring Marion Cotillard, Noémie Merlant, Martina Scortichini, Aïssa Maïga, and Isabella Ferrari, the movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2026. The narrative serves as a homage to the golden age of Italian cinema, set against an 80s-inspired backdrop that blends retro aesthetics with avant-garde sensibilities.

The film explores themes of identity, artistry, and the body through a surreal lens. It features elements such as plastic masks, mannequins, and grotesque special effects, including a character whose brain tumor grows into a second face. Critics have noted its lightweight visuals and simplified imagery compared to Mandico's previous works, while others praise its queer utopian undertones and its ability to mix vulgarity with elegance in a virtual parallel world.

• The film was nominated for the Queer Palm at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
• Marion Cotillard stars alongside Noémie Merlant in a story that also touches upon the relationship between an actress and her agent.
• Bertrand Mandico employs a distinct aesthetic using props that are described as sticky, weird, bloody, and erotic, focusing on the process of tearing and smearing them.
• The production features a multilingual cast and crew, with dialogue in French, English, and Italian.
• It has been characterized by some reviewers as having a thinner plot than usual for the director, prioritizing visual and thematic experimentation over traditional narrative depth.