“Party Girl,” a first film written and directed by Marie Amachoukeli, Claire Burger and Samuel Theis, has been chosen to open the Official Selection of Un Certain Regard. Last year, “The Bling Ring” by Sofia Coppola opened the program.

In “Party Girl” Angélique, a sixty year-old night club hostess and bon vivant feels that she has reached the end of the line. On an impulse she agrees to marry club regular Michel. The film, a portrait of a free woman who has chosen to live on the margins of society, delves deep into a France that is often underrepresented. The lead role is played with vivid realism by the real-life Angélique.

The three co-directors met at La Fémis (France’s eminent film school) where they studied screenwriting and editing and began their collaboration. They produced short films that garnered various awards on the festival circuit.

The Cannes Festival’s Un Certain Regard program often features first works by first-time filmmakers who have shown innovation in both form and subject. The choice of “Party Girl” was made by Pablo Trapero, who was recently nominated president of this program’s jury. He commented that he wishes to “present a passionate selection of established masters, young talents and new forms of cinema.”

“Party Girl” will be screened as the opening of Un Certain Regard, Thursday 15th May 2014. The full program will be announced together with the full category of Official Selection, on Thursday 17th April in Paris.

The Cannes Festival will take place during 14-25 May. Ali Naderzad will be there covering the event (@ScreenComment #SCannes2014)