Louise by the Shore
France2016animated75'Jean-François Laguionie Retrospective
They meet at the seashore – he plays the cello, she wades through the water and fishes into a net. A sudden storm interrupts the romantic moments and the woman is swept off by the waves. Disregarding the risks, the man boards a boat to rescue the lady taken by the sea. Will they manage to survive? Inspired by Surrealist paintings, the director’s debut is a film about the inevitability of fate and the transience of moments. It is also a fascinating expedition to the bottom of the sea, full of emotions and tension, showing the richness of the underwater world.
- directed by
- Jean-François Laguionie
Jean-François Laguionie (born 1939 in Besançon) is a French animation filmmaker who blends surrealism and impressionism. A student of Paul Grimault, he abandoned theatre in favor of animated film as an art form. His style is marked by gouache technique, interplay of light, and maritime motifs—seen in works like The Lady and the Cellist, Rowing Across the Atlantic, and Louise by the Shore. He also explores social and political themes while maintaining a poetic, unique style.
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