Cédric Kahn's 'A Place to Heal' enters Venice Golden Lion race

Cédric Kahn's latest French drama, "A Place to Heal" ("15/18"), made its world premiere on Friday at the Venice Film Festival, entering the race for the Golden Lion. The film is one of 21 titles vying for the festival's top honour.

The story unfolds within the adolescent psychiatric wing of a public hospital. Seventeen-year-old Lucia, played by Malou Khebizi, is brought in by police following multiple previous admissions. Inside, she reconnects with her friend Eloïse (Zoé Monpart) and encounters a group of teenagers, including Yasmine, Camilia, Ulysse and André, all under the care of doctors managing an overburdened service.

The unit's fragile equilibrium is disrupted by the arrival of a new patient, Enzo, portrayed by Kenji Peyran. The ensemble cast features Raphaël Besson as Ulysse, Patience Munchenbach as Charline, Ahleme Sahraoui as Yasmine, Jade Philip as Camélia, Laeti Vabre as André, and Sophie Guillemin as Carole. Kahn, who co-wrote the screenplay, also appears on screen as Étienne, with Antoine de Foucauld as Jules and Jennifer Decker as Paola.

Kahn is no stranger to the Lido. He previously competed in Venice in 1998 with "L'ennui" ("Boredom") and returned in 2023 with "Making Of," which screened out of competition.

This year's jury, tasked with selecting the Golden Lion winner, is chaired by American filmmaker and actor Maggie Gyllenhaal. The panel also includes Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, British composer Daniel Blumberg, Italian scholar Francesco Casetti, French filmmaker Xavier Giannoli, Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Hong Kong's Johnnie To.

The 83rd Venice International Film Festival continues until 12 September 2026.