Léa Mysius’ latest feature The Birthday Party (Histoires de la Nuit) earned a 12-minute ovation Friday evening at the Cannes Film Festival following its debut screening in the Grand Théâtre Lumière. It marked the last world-premiere screening in this year’s 22-strong competition lineup.

The audience broke into cheers twice during the screening before giving the pic wildly enthusiastic applause as the lights went up.

Adapted from Laurent Mauvignier’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Birthday Party follows Thomas and Nora and their teenage daughter Ida, who live on a remote French marshland where social contact is limited. Monica Bellucci plays their only neighbor, Cristina, an Italian painter.

The official synopsis continues: As the two households plan a surprise birthday party for Nora, strange disturbances begin to occur, and unease rolls over the marsh.

Director and actress Hafsia Herzi, who was in Cannes last year with her own film The Little Sister, and actor Bastien Bouillon (The Count of Monte Cristo) play the couple. Benoît Magimel, Bastien, Tawba El Gharchi and Paul Hamy also star.

The Birthday Party is the third feature from Mysius, who was previously in Cannes with Ava and The Five Devils, and who shared an Oscar nomination with Jacques Audiard and Thomas Bidegain for the screenplay for Emilia Pérez. The film is produced by Paris-based F Comme Film and sold internationally by mk2 films.  

The festival ends Saturday with the presentation of the Palme d’Or and the rest of the awards.