Under the Sand (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 & 10 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:

woman | beach | professor | suicide | vacation | 

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Taglines:

Can love vanish without a trace?

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

France Japan

Language:

French English

Release Date:

4 May 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Under the Sand

Filming Locations:

Lit-et-Mixe, Landes, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$32,657, 6 May 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,450,106, 10 March 2002

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

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

Referenced in Searching for Debra Winger (2002)

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Soundtracks

Asiatheme
Performed by Philippe Rombi
Composed by Philippe Rombi
© (p) 2000 Fidélité Productions

User Reviews

If you think you might like this you probably will.

I disagree with a few comments below: first, I believe it 'is' appropriate to switch back and forth between French and English because the character is an english literature professor in Paris and has bilingual friends; second, I feel it is unfair of anyone to characterize the main character as elderly, she is sensual, attractive, and tentatively has a good life to live in her future. I think the loss to the woman of her husband is like suddenly confronting the loss of the last 25 years of her life. To be able to cope with this changed reality she must cautiously explore a new experience; she is afraid to let go of her past and afraid to take hold of a future. I believe at the end of the movie we are shown that she will continue to refuse to relinquish the past, yet, invariably, it is shown to her that she must go on, embracing the present, as must we all.