The Abandonment, a French drama directed by Vincent Garenq, hits theaters on May 13, 2026. Led by Antoine Reinartz in the role of Samuel Paty and Emmanuelle Bercot, the film traces the last eleven days of the history teacher murdered on October 16, 2020 as he left his middle school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. The feature is also presented Out of Competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2026.
The Abandonment
Film | 2026
In theaters: May 13, 2026
Drama | Running time: 1h40
Directed by Vincent Garenq | Screenplay: Vincent Garenq, Alexis Kebbas
Starring Antoine Reinartz, Emmanuelle Bercot, Nedjim Bouizzoul
Country: France
Classification: All audiences with a warning
Out of Competition – Cannes Film Festival 2026
The film revisits the chain of events that led to the assassination of Samuel Paty, drawing on material from investigations and court proceedings. The narrative traces the mounting tensions around the teacher, the spread of accusations against him, and his growing isolation in the days leading up to the tragedy.
The screenplay loosely draws on the work Les Derniers jours de Samuel Paty by Stéphane Simon, published in 2023, with the collaboration of Mickaëlle Paty. The project places L'Abandon in a vein of judicial and political drama, centered on a recent real-world event that remains a hot topic in the French public debate.
Joining Antoine Reinartz and Emmanuelle Bercot, the cast also features Nedjim Bouizzoul, Emma Boumali and Azize Kabouche. The film is distributed by UGC Distribution.
To extend your cinema experience, check out the May film releases, the must-see films playing now, and our selection of French films of the year.
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