Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due

After completing his studies in Paris, Amin returns to Sète with his passion for film still burning. In September 1994, a chance encounter with a vacationing American producer brings unexpected interest in his screenplay, The Essential Elements of Universal Existence, and the producer suggests his young wife Jess for the lead role. But destiny, with its unpredictable whims, has other plans in store.

• Shaïn Boumedine as Amin
• Ophélie Bau as Ophélie
• Jessica Pennington as Jessica Patterson (Jess)
• Salim Kechiouche as Tony
• Andre Jacobs as Jack Patterson
• Dany Martial as Dany
• Hafsia Herzi as Camélia
• Alexia Chardard as Charlotte
• Delinda Kechiche as Amin's Mother
• Lou Luttiau as Céline
• Marie Bernard as Marie
• Meleinda Elasfour as Mel
• Roméo De Lacour as Aimé
• Kamel Saadi as Kamel
• Hatika Karaoui as Tony's Mother

Production wrapped in 2019, filming took place simultaneously with its predecessor Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo.^[11]

Following Intermezzo (2019) world premiere at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Bau and Kechiche had a fallout due to the inclusion of a 13-minute unsimulated sex scene in the final cut, which alongside Kechiche's production company insolvent status, led Canto Due to a post-production limbo of nearly 7 years.

Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 9 August 2025, and competed for Golden Leopard.^[12][13] Kechiche was absent due to a recent stroke, while the main cast and line producer Riccardo Marchegiani attended the press Q&A. When asked about the Intermezzo (2019) off-set allegations, Bau declined any comments on it, while other cast members defended the filmmaker and the film.^[14]

It was theatrically released in France on 3 December 2025 by Pathé.^[9]

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rated the film two stars out of five, calling the film "another heady dose of flirting, farce and bafflement."^[15]

However, the film received positive reviews from French critics. AlloCiné reported that French critics were "charmed by this sequel," noting that unlike the divisive reception of Intermezzo, "for this new installment, all critics are enthusiastic."^[16] Libération described it as "magnificent reunions" featuring "between sitcom parody and melancholy of blocked destinies."^[16] Le Monde called the film "sensual" and "furiously funny."^[16] Trois Couleurs praised it as "surprising in its restraint" and described it as concluding "a work already legendary" with "a mixture of mischief and twilight beauty."^[16]

At the 31st Lumière Awards, it was nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Best Female Revelation (Pennington).^[8]