The film has a rigid repetitive structure: arrival at the beach; the walk through a sylvan landscape; arrival at an idyllic place where all the senses are salved by the beauty of the beach, the sensuous sounds of the water, the soughing of the breeze in the trees; the quiet return at day's end. And then the same structure to the next day, and the one after that, and so on. It is a metaphor both for the sexual act itself and for the inevitable progress from action to outcome.
Franck's cruising is initially frustrated. He fails to hook up and then, when he does, his release is frustrated by his partner's insistence on safe sex. Soon, though, his orgasm is explicitly portrayed: le petit- mort.
Franck subsequently watches the object of his desire, Michel, participate in playful swimming and ducking with Pascal. The play becomes rougher and rougher until reaching a devastating climax: le grande mort.
Despite repeated exposure to evidence of Michel's crime (the abandoned towel and shoes on the beach, the abandoned red car), Franck embarks on a relationship with Michel. He even risks swimming with him - and their relationship reaches a higher climax than before.
Franck is addicted to sex and has no regard at all for the risks. His fellow-naturists are addicted to sun-worship and have no regard for the risks to their skin. Henri is addicted to self-pity and has a barely- suppressed death-wish. The Inspector takes unwarranted risks in repeatedly interviewing a suspected murderer while alone and undefended at an isolated beach.
Ultimately, Franck succumbs completely to his addiction and risks everything despite the explicit evidence before him. Is the film-maker alluding to mankind's addiction to consumerism despite the known risks?
Franck's cruising is initially frustrated. He fails to hook up and then, when he does, his release is frustrated by his partner's insistence on safe sex. Soon, though, his orgasm is explicitly portrayed: le petit- mort.
Franck subsequently watches the object of his desire, Michel, participate in playful swimming and ducking with Pascal. The play becomes rougher and rougher until reaching a devastating climax: le grande mort.
Despite repeated exposure to evidence of Michel's crime (the abandoned towel and shoes on the beach, the abandoned red car), Franck embarks on a relationship with Michel. He even risks swimming with him - and their relationship reaches a higher climax than before.
Franck is addicted to sex and has no regard at all for the risks. His fellow-naturists are addicted to sun-worship and have no regard for the risks to their skin. Henri is addicted to self-pity and has a barely- suppressed death-wish. The Inspector takes unwarranted risks in repeatedly interviewing a suspected murderer while alone and undefended at an isolated beach.
Ultimately, Franck succumbs completely to his addiction and risks everything despite the explicit evidence before him. Is the film-maker alluding to mankind's addiction to consumerism despite the known risks?