Pauline at the Beach

Plot

Fifteen year old Pauline and her older cousin, model-shaped Marion, go to the emptying Atlantic coast for an autumn holiday. Marion ignores the approaches of a surfer and falls for Henri, a hedonist who is only interested in a sexual adventure and drops her soon. Pauline's little romance with a young man (Sylvain) is also spoiled by Henri.

Why watch

Marion, a model-shaped cousin, finds herself torn between the advances of a carefree surfer and the allure of Henri, a man whose intentions are as fleeting as the autumn waves. As her younger cousin Pauline navigates her own first romance, the film captures the bittersweet essence of youthful longing and the complexities of adult relationships. Watching it feels like a gentle stroll along a quiet beach, where every conversation and glance carries the weight of unspoken emotions.

Talking points

• the nature of desire and disappointment
• the impact of adult relationships on youth
• the significance of setting in shaping emotional experiences

Cultural context

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