Sob a Areia (2000)

When her husband goes missing at the beach, a female professor begins to mentally disintegrate as her denial of his disappearance becomes delusional.

Director:

François Ozon

Writers:

François Ozon (scenario and dialogue), Emmanuèle Bernheim (collaboration)

Stars:

Charlotte Rampling, Bruno Cremer, Jacques Nolot

1 win & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlotte Rampling	...	Marie Drillon
Bruno Cremer	...	Jean Drillon
Jacques Nolot	...	Vincent
Alexandra Stewart	...	Amanda
Pierre Vernier	...	Gérard
Andrée Tainsy	...	Suzanne
Maya Gaugler	...	German woman
Damien Abbou	...	Chief lifeguard
David Portugais	...	Young lifeguard
Pierre Soubestre	...	Policeman
Agathe Teyssier	...	In charge of luxury store
Laurence Martin	...	Apartment seller
Jean-François Lapalus	...	Paris doctor
Laurence Mercier	...	Paris doctor's secretary
Fabienne Luchetti	...	Pharmacist

Storyline

Marie, a professor of English literature in a Paris university, has been happily married to Jean for 25 years, although they have no children. During their summer vacations in the southwest of France, Jean leaves Marie sunbathing on the beach and goes to swim in the sea. When Marie turns back, she cannot find Jean. Has he left her? commited suicide? drowned? With no clue and no body to mourn over, Marie acts as her husband was still alive.

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | sex | male frontal nudity | female nudity | female masturbation | 

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Taglines:

Can love vanish without a trace?

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

M/12

Did You Know?

Trivia

For financial reasons, the movie was shut down for 6 months, which worked for the best for François Ozon because then he actually shot on the summer and the winter, like the movie differentiates.

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Quotes

Marie Drillon: I am his wife, and I'm telling you, this is *not* him!

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Connections

Featured in The Look (2011)

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Soundtracks

Undenied
By Beth Gibbons (as B. Gibbons) - Geoff Barrow (as G. Barrow)
Performed by Portishead
© Chrysalis Music LTD
Avec l'aimable autorisation des éditions Chrysalis Music
(p) 1997 Universal - Go Beat
Avec l'aimable autorisation de Universal Music Projets Spéciaux

User Reviews

Mental illness as a lifestyle option

Mental illness as a lifestyle option seems to be the theme of this work. Very potent in examining the reality and meaning of loss and acceptance (or lack thereof). The always captivating Charlotte, (great to see Dirk Bogarde's little girl all growed up) looking elegant as a woman of a certain age in a very Anglo-Parisian sheath dress-wearing kind of way, is wonderful in her ability to convey contained confusion struggling to make sense of a pain too great to bear. Also noteworthy, stylistically, is a rare instance of unease being effectively evoked in spite of sunlit sets and daytime outdoor shots. No doom and gloom here, she gets to suffer in the light of day. A film that will remain with the moviegoer long after viewing because of its painful emotions and its visually powerful final shot.

Details

Country:

France Japan

Language:

French English

Release Date:

5 April 2002 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Sob a Areia

Filming Locations:

Ris-Orangis, Essonne, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$32,657, 6 May 2001

Gross USA:

$1,452,698

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,531,687

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fidélité Productions, Euro Space, Haut et Court

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1