During the summer of 1979, 10 year old Jean discovers, close to the ocean, that his parents no longer love each other. Jean lives through the end of love, life, and, in some ways, childhood. Everything that sustains his childhood universe crumbles during the holidays. It might be that Jean has realized too soon that love and life end much the same way that summer does.

However overused Après la Pluie, by Erik Satie might be and although, as with many other melodies, it has been played so often that it’s beautiful tune has been transformed into an elevator song, this small piano composition is always effective. In Océan, this music playing with the film openings keeps the audience in their seats, wondering what will happen after the credits roll by.

To break off from family holiday topics, Laborie weaves a series of events that will catch the audience’s attention during the 31 minutes the films lasts.

Adam Lenglen, the young actor playing Jean, does a surprising magnificent interpretation, and Julia Faure, an almost unknown actress that has already worked with directors such as Yann Samuell (Jeux d’enfants, La guerre des boutons), overflows with acting potential.

After participating with celebrated Jean-Luc, persecuté, this is Emmanuel Laborie’s second appearance in La Cabina; he is well-known for his documentary work in French television, and he has also filmed several short-films such as Qui a frappé à la porte d’Henri Michel? (2003) that was selected for the Clermont-Ferrand Festival and Côté Court de Pantin Festival. Jean-Luc persecuté won the Best Photography Award at the 4th edition of La Cabina.

Océan is part of the Official Section of the 6th Edition of the International Half-length Film Festival La Cabina. The Festival will take place from the 8th to the 17th of November inValencia.

OCÉAN | Emmanuel Laborie · France · 2013 · 31 min

Océan (Emmanuel Laborie, 2013) from Festival La Cabina on Vimeo.