All of a Sudden – Images
All of a Sudden, directed by Ryūsuke Hamaguchi and starring Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto, premiered in competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where the two actresses jointly received the Best Actress award; a rare coupled distinction at the festival.
The film marks a triumphant return to the international spotlight for Hamaguchi, whose previous accolades include an Academy Award for Drive My Car and the Grand Jury Prize at Venice for Evil Does Not Exist. His first French-language feature explores a unique cross-cultural relationship between two women, drawing inspiration from the real-life correspondence between philosopher Makiko Miyano and medical anthropologist Maho Isono, following Miyano’s cancer diagnosis. Hamaguchi re-centres the power of conversation and the importance of care, within an increasingly bleak world.
All of a Sudden follows Marie-Lou (Efira), the newly appointed director of a nursing home in the leafy suburbs of Paris, who is determined to introduce a more compassionate approach to elderly care. “Humanitude” prioritises empathy, dignity and human connection over the institutionalised obsession for profit driven efficiency. Her convictions take an unexpected turn when she meets Mari (Okamoto), a Japanese theatre director living with terminal cancer. Drawn together by their shared artistic sensibilities and an immediate intellectual connection, the two women develop a profound friendship that challenges their understanding of mortality and the meaning of care. As Mari becomes increasingly involved in Marie-Lou’s efforts to transform the nursing home, their relationship offers both women a renewed sense of purpose.
Age rating
PG
Run Time
196 minutes
Directors
Ryūsuke Hamaguchi
Film Company/Distributor
Curzon Film
Stars
Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto
Genre
Drama
