Experiencing Interruptions?

Swell is coming !

Surfing in the Mediterranean offers a unique perspective on time.
It's about embracing patience and, ultimately, rediscovering a childlike sense of wonder. While the Mediterranean may have fewer waves than the southwest, when the conditions are right... Thomas, Yann, Christophe and JD drop everything to chase the swell!
There's Christophe, the poet who meticulously documents each session on his computer. JD the (deceptively?) wise man who, as legend has it, can raise the swell simply by entering the water. Thomas, the epicurean, who rises before dawn to check the waves before heading back to the kitchen of his restaurant. And Yann, the stay- at-home dad who masterfully balances family life with his passion for the surf! Together, they offer a fresh perspective on surfing—one that’s thoughtful, poetic and philosophical, far beyond the usual clichés.
Enjoy the ride!

  • Nicolas LOTH
    Director
  • Nicolas LOTH
    Writer
  • La Bordure Association
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Demain, ça rentre !
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    60 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    France
  • Country of Filming:
    France
  • Language:
    French
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Les films du relief
    Distributor
    Country: France
    Rights: All Rights
Director - Nicolas LOTH
Director Statement

It all started with a wave!
My introduction to surfing in the Mediterranean came through my brother-in-law, JD. I vividly remember my first wave—a medium-sized one, at the spot known as Le Virage in Antibes. It was a rainy,
midweek winter day on the southeast coast.

The moment I grabbed my board and stepped into the water, I was
overwhelmed with a profound sense of freedom. A few curious onlookers stared at us, unsure of what they were witnessing.
From that moment, everything changed. Today, I'm what you might call a surfing addict—obsessed with checking marine weather forecast, scoping out seaside webcams every day, negotiating time away with my wife and calling my surfing buddies as soon
as the swell starts to pick up.
This is why I decided to make this documentary: to share my personal obsession with surfing. In this film, you won’t see three-meter waves, no bleached-blond surfers.

This isn’t about showing off.
Instead, I aim to explore, in a poetic and philosophical way, what makes surfing in the Mediterranean so unique. By focusing on the psychology of my subjects, rather than the size of the swell, I've taken a distinctly and introspective approach to the sport in this film.

The protagonists, my friends...
The four individuals I've chosen to focus on captivate me—not only because of their unique personalities, but because they mirror my own addictions and neuroses.
It all began with my brother-in-law, JD, who first inspired me to film "Med" surfers. I wanted to emulate him, carve out my own identity, and "set sail" into this often- misunderstood "community" (ever since the Brice de Nice movie that is!).
Then, the gentle waves I surfed with him during our first session sparked the idea to pick up the camera and take a different approach. Instead of focusing on the power and height of the waves, I wanted to capture their softness, their rhythm.
Ultimately, making this film has become my way of better understanding and connecting with what I experience when I practice this sport here on the Côte d'Azur.
Just like Yann and Christophe, I'm searching for an escape. Like, JD I'm seeking a deeper connection with the water and a sense of belonging. Like Thomas, I drive too fast and go "off the rails" when the swell picks up...

In winter, the sea is ours.
From October to May, the Mediterranean belongs to us! Only a few brave souls— though increasingly more people are taking to the water even during the colder months—swim year-round.
It’s the "old-timers"—the seasoned ones, perhaps the wisest—who embrace the cold, swimming and soaking no matter the temperature. True surfers never worry about water temperature or the weather. As soon as the swell is clean and promising, they’re in.
There's a strong sense of belonging here—a connection not only to a community (of fools?) but also to the water itself.
When the waves start rolling in, the surfing world comes alive: phones buzzing, photos being snapped. But once we’re in the water, everything else fades away, and the playful child within us is reborn.

Raymond Depardon once said, “If you move too much, you stop listening”, and that’s the perspective I want to bring to my practice and my characters. To listen—and move my camera only to capture them as they dance on the water...