By the Sea

The action takes place in the 1960s, a decade of changing social mores in Europe. The mid-century resort culture provides a backdrop of leisure, flirtation, and the fragility of romantic commitments. The era's rhythm of vacation, wandering hearts, and discreet desires informs the characters' decisions.

The story unfolds in a coastal resort town in France during the 1960s, centered around an elegant seaside hotel. The setting emphasizes mid-century style, with the sea visible from guest rooms and a social scene shaped by vacationers, couples, and bar conversations. The seaside atmosphere frames the couple's retreat from ordinary life and the voyeuristic tensions that surface between neighboring rooms.

👁️ Voyeurism

A hole in the wall becomes the couple’s window into another relationship, driving suspicion, desire, and moral ambiguity. Vanessa and Roland’s gaze upon Lea and Francois exposes their own discontent and unresolved grief. The act of watching others blurs boundaries between privacy and intrusion, catalyzing a shift in their marriage.

💔 Infertility & Marital Struggle

Vanessa’s miscarriages have left her emotionally distant and incapable of bearing children, a secret that fractures her intimacy with Roland. The couple’s longing and bitterness surface through tension, arguments, and a shared sense of loss. Their attempt to reconnect hinges on acknowledging this shared pain.

🤝 Reconciliation

After a confrontation that reveals the root of their problems, Vanessa and Roland decide to confront their reality together. The presence of Lea’s pregnancy and Francois’s confession opens a path toward forgiveness. The couple’s choice to work on their relationship marks a cautious but hopeful turn.

🎨 Art & Creation

Roland’s writer’s block and his claim that his new book is about Vanessa ties the couple’s lives to his art. The hotel’s conflicts mirror the creative process, where truth, memory, and desire become material for writing. The film uses the creative impulse as a lens for examining love and limitation.