May 10, 1981. As the election of François Mitterrand brings fresh hope to la France, Léon meets the beautiful Noémie. The two leftists fall in love. But Noémie has plans to leave for Paris and decides to follow her ambitions. Years later, Léon also arrives at the capital as a political journalist, helped by his brother Olivier, who is now an expert in communication. As Generation Mitterrand becomes disenchanted, Léon meets up again with Noémie, a presidential advisor and Olivier’s new conquest…

Picture gallery

The ambition of Nicolas Castro’s debut is clear from the first frames: to tie history to History; the destiny of a group of friends to that of the political stage; the love between two idealists to the disillusion of a generation. To this end, Des lendemains qui chantent expands the tight boundaries of semi-romantic, semi-political comedy, enhanced by a tender and funny look at the Mitterrand years – with the engaging use of archival images. The crazy charm of Pio Marmaï holds together the likeable script, even if it isn’t completely remarkable.