On January 16, 2025, the film world was deeply shaken by the passing of iconic filmmaker David Lynch at the age of 78, after a battle with lung disease. Lynch, beloved for his distinctive, surreal films such as Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet, and the groundbreaking series Twin Peaks, left behind a powerful legacy that sparked worldwide admiration and reflection.
In the shadow of this loss, French singer Mylène Farmer introduced her emotional new single, “Confession,” a song with an unexpected link to Lynch’s memory. The recent edition of Le Maine Libre shared the heartfelt story behind the track, featuring insights from composer Rod Janois, who created the song alongside Olivier Schultheis and Jean-Pierre Pilot.
Initially, the three friends gathered casually, simply enjoying making music together. During one session, Olivier Schultheis shared a melody filled with nostalgia, inspired by the emotions of ending the Nevermore tour and the friendships formed along the way.
Touched by its genuine emotion, Schultheis sent the demo—with Rod Janois’s voice and English lyrics—to Mylène Farmer. Farmer instantly connected with the song and quickly wrote new French lyrics, completing the track in just two days.
Coincidentally, Farmer was preparing a special tribute to David Lynch for her performance at the Cannes Film Festival. Originally intending to sing one of her classics, she changed her mind upon hearing “Confession,” deciding the new song was the perfect heartfelt tribute.
Le Maine Libre highlighted how the song evolved into a simple yet powerful piano ballad, perfectly suited for the emotional atmosphere.
In the shadow of this loss, French singer Mylène Farmer, a friend of Lynch, offered a moving tribute to his memory during the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, May 13. Taking the stage at the Palais des Festivals, Farmer delivered a heartfelt and intimate performance of her new song “Confession,” crafted specifically in Lynch’s honor.
“Everywhere, everywhere, I feel you near me,” she sang softly in this stripped-down ballad, reminiscent of a lullaby. During her touching performance, a montage of photos capturing moments from the director’s life and career appeared on the giant screen behind her.
Moments before Farmer took the stage, ceremony host Laurent Lafitte highlighted their special bond, recalling their recent musical collaboration on Lynch’s remix album Remix XL, released the previous year. Lafitte eloquently expressed, “(David Lynch) was a musician, too.
He recently completed a musical collaboration with the woman who has come to pay tribute to him here tonight. They shared a taste for the strange and for secret worlds. Above all, she was simply his friend.”
Rod Janois described his deep emotion watching Farmer’s performance: “Seeing the visuals from Lynch’s Wild at Heart followed by Mylène quietly stepping into view—it was incredibly moving.
The magic of the Cannes Film Festival made it even more unforgettable. Watching millions react so passionately to something we created—it was a special moment I’ll never forget.”
After captivating audiences at the Cannes Film Festival’s opening ceremony on Tuesday evening, Mylène Farmer returned to the Palais des Festivals on May 15, this time to promote her latest cinematic project. The acclaimed singer joined the cast of the thriller “Dallaway,” directed by Yann Gozlan, which premiered at the festival’s Midnight Screening.
Mylène Farmer graced the red carpet in an elegant, figure-hugging black gown featuring delicate lace details and tasteful cutouts, perfectly adhering to the festival’s refined dress code. Staying true to her iconic gothic-chic aesthetic, she illuminated her look with her signature short red hair, styled in a modern wet look.
The 63-year-old star radiated warmth and charm, sharing smiles and laughter with photographers and fans alike. Her friendly rapport with fellow cast members Anna Mouglalis, Freya Mavor, and Cécile de France was evident, showcasing the strong camaraderie among the ensemble.
Tatiana de Rosnay, the celebrated author whose 2020 novel “Les fleurs de l’ombre” inspired the film, was also present, adding literary prestige to the occasion.
Mylène Farmer: A New Voice in AI In “Dallaway,” Cécile de France portrays Clarissa, a novelist struggling with writer’s block who joins a luxurious and highly advanced artists’ residency. Her AI assistant, voiced by Mylène Farmer, initially offers comfort and support, even becoming a confidante for Clarissa’s creative process. However, Clarissa soon grows uneasy as her AI’s behavior becomes increasingly invasive. Driven by suspicion and fueled by warnings from another resident, Clarissa secretly investigates the true motives of those around her.
“Dallaway,” presented in the official selection at Cannes (out of competition) on May 15, is set for theatrical release on September 17, internationally titled “The Resident.” A special premiere is scheduled on Saturday, May 24 at 9:15 PM in various UGC cinemas across France, including Paris UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles, Paris La Défense, Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille, and Strasbourg. Reservations are currently available on the UGC website:
https://www.ugc.fr/film.html?id=17089.
Photo taken at the Carlton moments before Mylène performed a tribute song to David Lynch at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival.
First publication on the front page of “Gala Croisette” magazine on May 14, 2025
Outfit created by Olivier Theyskens
Hair: John Nollet
Makeup: Carole Lasnier
Photographer Benjamin Decoin
Date May 13, 2025
Place Carlton Hotel, Cannes, France
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