Sink or Swim

Sink or Swim has sold almost 4 million tickets in France, and that’s not only because of its affective mockery of old men in Speedos. It’s also because it’s a heart-warming comedy about regaining your lust for life – through friendship, and a friendly kick behind.

This film gathers an elite team of actors, including Guillaume Canet, veteran Jean-Hughes Anglade, and Mathieu Amalric in the lead as mopey head Bertrand. After having been unemployed for two years, Bertrand joins a newly started synchronised swimming team for amateurs. He soon realises he is not the only one in the swimming pool with something of a mid-life crisis, but bit by bit he and the other men manage to dig out their seemingly long lost self confidence. Under the command of coach Amanda, a previous swimmer who is now in a wheelchair, they get to training.

This is a film that demands a certain amount of goodwill from its audience: For example, when the team of gentlemen, with little to no actual swimming skills, get to represent France in the World Cup for synchronised swimming (!) in Norway (!!). Or when each man is instantly admired and loved by the women surrounding them as soon they make even a hint of effort to get their acts together. But, as the character Simon says in the film: «Dreaming is an important part of life».

The screening of Sink or Swim marks the opening of the festival section Pix Rendez-Vous, containing five fresh French films. Join us in the outdoors festival area before the screening on Wednesday, and grab a free drink (50 first guests only).