UNDER PARIS/ SOUS LA SEINE

France, 2024, 104 minutes, Colour.

Berenice Bejo, Nassim Lyes, Lea Levisant.

Directed by Xavier Gens.

While they have been some shark films before Jaws in 1975, there have been scores of shark films since. The following Google reference has quite an extraordinary list of these films: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Films_about_shark_attacks.

The time we have a French film. It was released in 2024, some months before the beginning of the Paris Olympic Games. And, it draws on this event for some of its drama.

As a shark film, it is somewhere between Jaws and the Sharknado heightened adventures. It opens in the Pacific, a scientific group, led by the always reliable Berenice Bejo (A Separation, The Movie Teller) backing and giant shark, but tragedy ensuing, the death of her husband. And she returns to Paris laboratory work rather than out at sea.

Some years later, there is evidence of shark presence in the Seine, a challenge to the scientists, but also a challenge to young protesters who want to protect that shark. In the meantime, there are the group of Seine police and their having to cope with the shark’s presence. And, there is the Mayor of Paris, completely absorbed in the success of the forthcoming Games, in denial when told about the shark.

For those who enjoy shark films, there is plenty of shark activity, a large shark, multiple offspring, dangers, the river police diving with some disasters, the head of the police trying to negotiate with the Mayor and being fobbed off, the protesters and the intransigence of the leader, the tracking of the shark on computer screens, the attempt to confront and capture the shark.

And then, in the atmosphere of disaster films, there is the opening of the event in the river, hundreds of swimmers, pursued by the sharks, absolute mayhem – and comeuppance for the arrogant Mayor.

As shark entertainments go, this one should go on fans’ lists.

1. The popularity of shark terror of films? The legacy of Jaws? The many shark variations?
2. The opening in the Pacific, the waste and rubbish, the trapping of the fish, the sharks, Lilith, the threats, the sharks, the offspring? The crew, the research, Sophie and her husband, the other members, the going out, the attack, their deaths? The impact on Sophie?
3. Three years later, the Paris settings, the vistas of the city, of the river, the landmarks, tunnels, the underwater photography, the headquarters of the protesters, the triathlon, the celebrations? The buildup to the climax? The musical score?
4. The situation in Paris, the mayor, publicity, international interest, the triathlon? The 2024 Olympics? Cautions about the water in the Same?
5. The sharks in the Seine, Lilith, size, spawning, the number of the sharks? The threats?
6. The protesters, the group, the cause, determination? The technology to trace the movements of the sharks? The young woman, a demonstrations, intransigence? The support of her team, their enthusiasm, meetings? The technician, her doubts, going to see Sophie, the plans to counteract the protest?
7. Adil, the police, the patrolling the rivers, their authority? The team work, the meetings with Sophie, the advice, the tensions, the searching, finding the sharks, trapping the sharks, and water? The deaths and the police grief?
8. The police, the liaison with the mayor, the visits to the mayor, eating a meal, disdain, her advisers, determination about the triathlon? The exasperation of the police, their activities despite the disapproval of the mayor?
9. The triathlon, the speeches, the crowds, the swimmers, going into the water, the police trying to ward off the sharks, the protection? The sharks loose, the massacre? Reaction of the crowds? The mayor?
10. The technician and her advice, the tracking, the protesters, the police, the buildup to the confrontations? Lilith and the many offspring?
11. Sophie and Adil, bonding? Working together, the dangers and threats? His injuries?
12. Success? Temporary? The future?