LE CINQUIEME ELEMENT - LE CINE-CONCERT

Over two exceptional days, the audience will experience an immersive journey where images from two major works will be screened while their original scores are performed in perfect synchronisation by the large orchestra Iconic Symphonic.

He is one of the very few French filmmakers whose name alone has become a genuine international trademark.

Screenwriter, director, producer, world-builder and visionary entrepreneur, Luc Besson has deeply shaped more than forty years of cinema by imposing an instantly recognizable style, where emotion, innovation, visual poetry, modernity and high spectacle converge.

From Subway, The Big Blue, Nikita, Léon: The Professional, The Fifth Element, The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc, Arthur and the Invisibles, Lucy, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets to Dracula, Luc Besson has built a singular body of work that has influenced multiple generations of directors and creators across the world.

His films have drawn more than 200 million spectators across the five continents, making him one of the most popular and most exported French directors in film history.

Founder of EuropaCorp, producer of dozens of international feature films, discoverer of countless talents and builder of a globally oriented film industry, Luc Besson has broadly contributed to the international reach of French cinema. His artistic boldness, aesthetic rigor and boundless imagination have earned him worldwide recognition and a unique place in the history of cinema.

To celebrate this extraordinary career, the Palais des Congrès de Paris will host a weekend entirely dedicated to his cinematic universe.

Named "Luc Besson Célébration", this event will bring together film enthusiasts, symphonic music lovers and admirers of the director around two exceptional cine-concerts.

Luc Besson will be in attendance throughout both days, offering the public a unique opportunity to celebrate his body of work in his company, share his perspective on his journey, and discuss his creations.

Saturday March 6, 2027 • 20:30

The Fifth Element.

The Cine-Concert – 30th Anniversary

Released in 1997, The Fifth Element immediately established itself as one of the greatest sci-fi masterpieces ever produced in Europe.

Its rich futuristic universe, monumental sets, iconic costumes designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, groundbreaking special effects, and visionary aesthetic turned it into an undeniable benchmark of global cinema.

Led by a stellar cast featuring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm and Chris Tucker, the film was a massive hit with audiences, drawing more than 7.7 million spectators in France and generating over 264 million dollars in worldwide box office revenue.

Recognizing the vital place this work holds in international film heritage, Gaumont undertook in 2020 a full 4K restoration of the film from the original camera elements. This restoration brings back with exceptional picture quality all the visual richness envisioned by Luc Besson, the vibrant set colors, the sharpness of the visual effects, and the extraordinary cinematography that made the film famous.

Nearly thirty years after its release, The Fifth Element remains a cult classic that continues to inspire cinema, TV series, video games, design, fashion, and comics.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, this monumental work will be showcased in a spectacular cine-concert production.

Projected in its 4K restoration by Gaumont, the film will regain its full visual splendor while the original score is performed live by the full Iconic Symphonic orchestra, uncovering all the emotional power of this soundtrack that has become one of contemporary French cinema's most iconic signatures.

The union of this reference restoration and the sheer power of symphonic performance will offer audiences complete immersion into this now legendary futuristic world.

This anniversary evening will be hosted in the presence of Luc Besson, who will share with the audience this exceptional celebration around one of his greatest masterpieces.

An Exceptional Event

Beyond these two cine-concerts, Luc Besson Célébration will offer several exclusive gatherings allowing the audience to extend their immersion into the director's universe.

Meetings with Luc Besson, Q&A sessions, and discussions about his journey, creative process, and behind-the-scenes film stories will enrich this extraordinary celebration.

For two days, the Palais des Congrès de Paris will be the gathering point for all fans of cinema, orchestral music, and the work of Luc Besson.

Far more than a simple weekend of screenings, Luc Besson Célébration promises to be a true tribute to cinema, orchestral music, and the imagination of a filmmaker who, for over forty years, has continued to amaze audiences worldwide.