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Film short abstract

Marseille. Beneath the surface, human traces and marine life intertwine: ships, underwater cables, pollutants, fishing nets, and marine creatures share the same waters. MARE NOSTRUM immerses us in this underwater realm, inviting us to encounter our species from the perspective of the living world.

Film synopsis

MARE NOSTRUM is a sensory ethnographic documentary set in the underwater space of the Bay of Marseille. Composed of a series of vignettes, the film explores submerged Mediterranean landscapes where human and non-human entities intersect and interact. MARE NOSTRUM moves away from traditional underwater narratives, adopting an off-centre perspective that highlights the often overlooked consequences of human presence. Shot mainly in long takes and accompanied by underwater sounds recorded in natural conditions, MARE NOSTRUM offers a unique perspective, revealing how marine life interacts and adapts with the intensification of human activities in its environment. In this wordless film, a question emerges: To whom does the sea belong, and how should it be treated?