Filmed in Malta with a primarily European crew and cast, \u201cBy The Sea,\u201d looks and sounds like it is heavily influenced by European cinema from the ’60s and \u201870s by filmmakers like Luchino Visconti<\/b> or Robert Rossellini<\/b>. Jolie described the film as “an art film, the kind of movie that I like to see but not something I’m usually cast in,” but the emotionally taxing relationship aspect of the film isn\u2019t something she\u2019s probably going to tackle again any time soon. “We’re proud of ourselves for being brave enough to try it. I think \u2018By the Sea\u2019 was the hardest film for me, because it wasn’t [issue-driven]. It’s something I probably won’t do very much of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Written, directed and produced by Jolie, the international ensemble includes by M\u00e9lanie Laurent, Niels Arestrup, Melvil Poupaud and Richard Bohringer. Here\u2019s the official synopsis:<\/p>\n
By the Sea follows an American writer named Roland (Pitt) and his wife, Vanessa (Jolie Pitt), who arrive in a tranquil and picturesque seaside resort in 1970s France, their marriage in apparent crisis. As they spend time with fellow travelers, including young newlyweds Lea (Laurent) and Fran\u00e7ois (Poupaud), and village locals Michel (Arestrup) and Patrice (Bohringer), the couple begins to come to terms with unresolved issues in their own lives.<\/p>\n
Shot by Austrian cinematographer Christian Berger (\u201cThe White Ribbon\u201d) using mostly natural light as well. \u201cYou’re not conscious of the light, and so you’re also not conscious of staying in the light or how you look,\u201d Jolie said. \u201cIt made me act differently and made me direct differently too.”<\/p>\n
\u201cBy The Sea\u201d will be released on November 13th, which is a bit too early for the AFI Film Festival. So it\u2019ll be interesting to see where it turns up on the fall festival circuit. Regardless, the first trailer is here, so watch it below and let us know what you think.<\/p>\n