From “La Vague” by Étienne-Jules Marey to “Titanic” by James Cameron, from silent cinema of the 1920s to “Pirates of the Caribbean”, including “L’Or des mers” by Jean Epstein and “Les Dents de the sea” by Steven Spielberg, the sea is one of the favorite subjects of the 7th art. This is easily explained: the first « cinematographers » had the mission of capturing the most « hectic » subjects possible to satisfy an increasingly demanding audience, the directors readapted the old iconography of the magic lantern, which people loved already marine themes – shipwrecks, storms, voyages, etc. -, and the new animated and photographic images, which appeared at the end of the 19th century, allowed motionless spectators to travel across the world, to the most distant waters – a privilege extraordinary for millions of people who have never left dry land.
A source of inspiration, the sea is also an object of analysis for filmmakers of all times: they appropriate it to use it as a setting, or even make it a character in its own right. The sea fascinates with its immensity, its dangerousness, its fauna and flora, the mysteries of its depths. It is both a subject of wonder and fear, and cinema has allowed everyone to explore their buried fears and fantasies in a very spectacular way. Even today, the sea is in the cinema a subject of astonishment, of fear, of the struggle for life, of violent passion, of love, of politics, of strong ecological concerns. It symbolizes freedom and closed doors, as well as fragility, while appearing merciless in its mass and savagery. Through its continuous movement, the sea is ontologically cinematic. It was fully revealed to everyone, in its splendor, its diversity and its – almost – totality, thanks to the cinema.
This reference work brings together more than 275 illustrations – film extracts but also posters, photographs or diorama elements, costumes and scripts, technical objects, etc. – accompanied by contributions from the best specialists, for a complete exploration of this abysmal theme.
