A charming animated illustration depicting a pétanque (boules) scene in what appears to be a sunny South of France setting. Three men are gathered around the metal balls on a dusty court — one crouching to inspect the positions of the boules, while the other two look on with expressions of concentration or mild dismay. The scene has a lovely film shoot backdrop: there's a movie light on a tripod, a sign in French reading "On tourne" (meaning "We're filming" or "Action!"), director's chairs, and orange parasols.

Flatpack 2026: A Magnificent Life

About Flatpack 2026: A Magnificent Life

Any new film from animation royalty Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville, The Illusionist) is a cause for celebration, but since it’s been over a decade since his last feature, this feels extra special. A Magnificent Life is a lush, hand-drawn biopic of the legendary French polymath Marcel Pagnol.

Set in 1955, we find an aging Pagnol struggling with a crisis of confidence and a failing memory. When ELLE magazine commissions a column about his childhood, he finds himself visited by Little Marcel (his younger self) who leads him on a magical-realist trip through his own past. From the sun-baked hills of Provence to the high-stakes talkie revolution in Paris, Chomet uses his signature style to render a life defined by storytelling, invention, and a defiant refusal to grow up.
 

Booking info

To book Accessible tickets and free Companion tickets, please visit our Accessible Bookings page. Companion tickets will initially show a standard ticket price, but once your account is set-up and you are logged in, this will be reduced to £0 at checkout.

Duration includes trailers, adverts and any Q&A/panel. For events such as NT Live, Colour Box and Reel & Meal there will be minimal advertising. We do not admit latecomers after the main feature has started and we have a limited food & drink policy.

MAC’s cinema programme has been generously supported by BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands.

Dates and times

You might also enjoy

  1. A close-up image of Elvis Presley during his Las Vegas residency, with long sideburns and a sweaty head of hair. A microphone is in front of his mouth and we can see shadows of band members behind him in front of a dark red backdrop.

    EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert

    Cinema
    More info
  2. A young Black man stands next to a young white man in a prison corridor. The Black man is wearing a grey tracksuit and the white man is wearing a white vest with dark blue trousers. He also has tattoos across his arms and neck. They both wear sombre expressions. Behind them is an open door to what looks like a cleaning cupboard.

    Wasteman

    Cinema
    More info
  3. A sombre looking woman in her forties with long brunette hair (Rose Byrne) lies on a bed, her head propped up by her left hand. She is hugging a white stuffed plushie and the image is lit up in stark red.

    If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You

    Cinema
    More info