Under the Sand

Colour, 35 mm
France, 2000, 96 min
Section: Horizons

Synopsis

This time around as well, young French director François Ozon brings together all the elements of his particular directorial signature - humour, mystery and a sharp and sensitive psychological look into the core of each protagonist. Marie and Jean are married. Their life has settled into the rhythm of long years spent together. They begin their vacation as usual at their country house. One day they go to the beach together. While Marie sunbathes, Jean goes swimming. But he never returns…. The director says about the film: "I was inspired by something that happened when I was a child. I was on holiday with my parents by the sea. Everyday on the beach we would meet a Dutch couple. One day, the man went for a swim and never came back. We saw a helicopter flying over the sea - nobody wanted to go swimming after that. I have often been haunted by the image of that woman going back to her place all alone, carrying her husband´s things. I have always wondered what happened after that."

About the director

François Ozon (b. 1967, Paris) graduated in film and then attended France’s famed FEMIS film school. His short films were shown at many film festivals around the world. In 1998 he shot his feature debut Sitcom, screened in the Critics’ Week section at the Cannes IFF. His next two features were also screened at top festivals – Criminal Lovers (Les amants criminel, 1999, Venice) and Water Drops on Burning Rocks (Gouttes d´eau sur pierres brulantes, 2000, Berlin). In 2002 he shot 8 Women, based on the novel by Robert Thomas and starring outstanding French actresses of many generations; collectively they received the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Achievement at the 2002 Berlinale. Swimming Pool was screened in the competition this year at Cannes. Selected filmography: See the Sea (Regarde la mer, 1996), Sitcom (1997), Les amants criminel (1999), Gouttes d´eau sur pierres brulantes (2000), Under the Sand (Sous le sable, 2000), 8 femmes (2002), Swimming Pool (2003).