PARIS, FRANCE — Delivering a powerful narrative, Ocean delves into the intricate tapestry of contemporary global challenges in a captivating exploration of identity and family bonds. Transcending the conventions of a music video, Ocean evolves into a cinematic short film blending humanity and fantastical mystique. The tale unfolds against a backdrop of environmental decay and its reverberating effects on migration worldwide through the extraordinary journey of two enigmatic brothers, half-human, half-aquatic, as they navigate the treacherous currents of a world besieged by pollution, grappling with the haunting echoes of a distant homeland lost to the ravages of environmental degradation.
Hailing from the enchanting city of Toulouse, France, the dynamic electronic duo Else first made waves with their groundbreaking EPs “Pacific” and “Mirage,” captivating an ever-growing legion of devoted fans with their innovative fusion of electronic beats and ethereal melodies. Under the visionary direction of Mohamed Chabane and Théo Jourdain, Ocean is elevated into a compelling tale echoing the collective heartbeat of a planet in peril.
The Story
The eldest brother, Jamie, never quite got used to life on solid ground. Intense and impulsive, his recklessness has led him from one detention center to the next. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Sully, scarcely remembers their origins and has made a place for himself among humans. He maintains an unwavering adoration for his older brother, the last vestige of his family and the only anchor to their shared origins.
Their lives take a dramatic turn when Jamie, fleeing detention, bursts into Sully’s classroom, thrusting him into an unexpected odyssey of self-discovery. Amidst the turmoil of Jamie’s actions, and his longing to return to their oceanic home, Sully finds himself compelled to re-evaluate his path in light of Jamie’s turbulent demeanor, as Jamie’s descent into madness and violent outbursts forge Sully’s resolve to assert his independence.
Arriving at the desolate shores of Dunkirk, a profound crossroads emerges: Jamie, consumed by desperation, seeks escape from the throngs of waterborne refugees, driven by a relentless yearning for solace. Conversely, Sully confronts the bleak reality of relinquishing hope,
grappling with the weight of his decision. In a heart-wrenching moment of reckoning, the brothers part ways on the beach, each facing the tumultuous consequences of their choosing.
The intricate interplay between Jamie and Sully, underscored by their contrasting personas, adds depth to the storyline, echoing the delicate balance between family loyalty and self-preservation, while the desolate expanse of Dunkirk’s polluted shoreline emerges as a stark canvas, vividly portraying the dire plight of refugees amidst the relentless onslaught of an environmental crisis. Ultimately, the poignant juxtaposition of these grim realities with the story’s fantastical context creates a unique narrative, ensuring its resonance creates a lasting impression among viewers.
“We are incredibly proud of this film, which reflects our team’s extensive dedication. It showcases Frenzy’s expertise bringing directors’ visions to life with genuine creative rigor, a unique identity, and collaborative synergy. This was particularly the case with Else, who generously allowed us complete creative freedom in terms of shaping the format and approach, treating it as a dedicated work of fiction – and the result is truly captivating,” said Elsa Rakotoson, Founder and Executive Producer of Frenzy Paris.
CREDITS:
Directors : Mohamed Chabane & Théo Jourdain @mohamed_et_theo
Chief Operator : Adolpho VELOSO @adolphoveloso Jamie : Giacomo MANCINI @giacomomancini8
Sully : James DOWELL
Production : Frenzy Paris @frenzyparis
Executive Producer : Camille RICHARDEAU @camilkacao
Line Producerss : Charlène RICHARDEAU @charlene.rchrd & Sarah DELATTRE @sarahdelattree Production Assistant : Axelle BADET @kly.visual
Casting Director : Claire CATTERSON @clairecatterson
Location Scouts : Martin BENOIST & Marie LEDOUX
Location Manager : Téva CELLIER @teva.bss
Runners : Louis DU CLOSEL @louisdu_closel and Marie HOUVENAGHEL
1st Assistant Director : Jean-Baptiste MOREAU @jeanbaptistemoreau
2nd Assistant Director : Marianne CAILLAUD
1st Assistant Camera : Marine ROINSARD @marindaplace.filmphotography
2nd Assistant Camera : Carmen ALESSANDRIN
Sound Engineer : Samy CHERHABIL @kader_soze Gaffer : Quentin PLAY @playquentin
Electricians : Emmanuel MALHERBE @manulherbe, Lauranne ARRIGHY @iamlauranne
Key Grip : Quentin MALATESTE Grip : Titouan THOMAS
Low Loader : Alain VILLAIN
Set Design: Sabrina FORTE @sandjillstudio
Assistant Set Designer : Ditte BEJAMINSEN @dittebenjaminsen
Assistant Set Designer/Stuntman : Édouard FROMMWEILER @looneddy
FX Make-up : Rebecca MIGNOT @rebecca.makeup_artist Prosthetist : Guy BONNEL
Stylist : Marion BRILLOUET @mmmarionb
Assistant Stylist : Rachel SWYNGHEDAVW
Post-Production:
Editing: Stephanie DUMESNIL & Danilo ABRAHAM
Grading : Emiliano Serantoni @emilianoserantoni
FX : Bend @bend_paris (Raphael KOURILSKY @raphaelkourilsky, Fabrice SEE) & Anthony LEMESTRAU
Mixing : Le Comptoir du son @comptoirduson
Cast:
Jamie : Giacomo MANCINI @giacomomancini8 Sully : James DOWELL
James Chaperone : Joanna DOWELL
Professor : Marlène RABINEL
High schoolers : Ibrahim AMBDOULHAFOUR – Amandine BAER – Raphaël BEAURIN – Mike DANJOU – Zoé DECLERCQ @zoedeclercqp – Héléna DEHOUCK – Candice LENGAGNE – Suzanne LENGLEZ – Gabriel VANHILLE DEKEISTER – Lison VARLET – Oriane WALLYN
Workers : Frederic DIAZ – Achille MAURO – Florian STAGNI Policeman : Nathan BEN KEMOUN @nnbnkn.fr
Activists: Nathan BEN KEMOUN @nnbnkn.fr – Franck DECALF – Waly DIAWARA – Gaetano FESTINESE @gaetanofestinese – Jason GABORIT @jasongaborit
Médecins : Axelle BADET @kly.visual – Gabriel JOYEZ @gabjoyez– Sarah KOUIDRI – Thomas RADIX @radixthomas
Ocean people : Allan CLAEYSSEN @allan_thebarbarian – Kévin COSSART – Stéphanie DEPLA @stephanie.depla – Suzanne DUBOIS – Edouard FROMMWEILLER – Mikhail HLUSHKO @mikhail.hlushko – Pierre JOLY – Zoé LAIGNEZ – Gaëtan LELEU @77gaetan77 – Frédéric PENEL
Set design/locations
Muriel DEBAENE for all her help in finding locations and getting permits
Fernand Léger Highschool: Pauline BARRAS (proviseure), Sybille DUPONT (proviseure adjointe), Pierre JOLY et Jérémie SMEDT
Ascometal Parking : Stéphane HOET (director) and Gilles HOEDT
Dunkirk port (roads and Braek dike) : Marie-Elizabeth BOGUCKI, Nicolas LEURS et Jennifer LENOIR
