Having corresponded with Tati 's grandson , former Tati colleague and '' Chicago Reader '' film reviewer Jonathan Rosenbaum published an article entitled " Why I ca n't write about '' The Illusionist '' " in which he wrote , " Even after acknowledging that Chomet does have a poetic flair for composing in long shot that 's somewhat Tatiesque , I remain skeptical about the sentimental watering-down of his art that Chomet is clearly involved with , which invariably gives short shrift to the more radical aspects of his vision " . With McDonald being quoted saying " My grandmother and all his stage acquaintances during the 1930 's / 40 's always maintained that Tati was a great colleague as a friend and artist ; he unfortunately just made a massive mistake that because of the time and circumstances he was never able to correctly address . I am sure his remorse hung heavy within him and it is for this reason that I believe Chomet 's adaptation of '' l'Illusionniste '' does a great discredit to the artist that was Tati . " The first footage from the film was shown at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival . The film premiered at the Berlinale festival in February 2010 . The film opened the 2010 Edinburgh International Film Festival on 16 June
2008 Cannes Film Festival
2008 Cannes Film Festival
The Illusionist (2010 film)