— Publié le 17/01/2022

A wave of love with "In Waves" by Phuong Mai Nguyen

Adapted from AJ Dungo’s graphic novel, In Waves is Phuong Mai Nguyen’s new feature film that will remain in residence until March 11th.

Phuong Mai Nguyen studied at the Gobelins School where she graduated in 2009 and then joined the Poudrière School where she graduated as an animation film director in 2011. She directed several short films including Chez moi shortlisted for the Césars and shortlisted for the Oscars in 2016. She was also a graphic writer on the short film Celui qui a deux âmes. Without forgetting the realization, with Charlotte Cambon de Lavalette, of the series Culottées (Silex Films), adapted from the comics of Penelope Bagieu.

In Waves tells a story of love and the power of grief, both intimate and universal. It is an autobiographical story of her young author, AJ Dungo, and his first publication (Prix de la BD Fnac-France Inter 2020, and in official selection at Angoulême Comics Festival 2020). The story is mixed with the world of the ocean, of surfing, with these waves that come and go as a metaphor of grief, which make the story all the more poetic and sensorial.

This film, produced by Silex Films, received development support. The director, Phuong Mai Nguyen, will be in residence from January 17th to March 11th, 2022.

"In Waves" de Phuong Mai Nguyen © SILEX FILMS

In Waves by Phuong Mai Nguyen

Silex Films / 90' / computer 2D

Shy teenager AJ meets Kristen while in high school in Los Angeles. Kristen is passionate about surfing... and she’s the most beautiful person he’s ever met. He falls madly in love with her. As life seems to finally come together for AJ, Kristen's life starts falling apart, shattered by illness. Together, they will fight adversity with dignity and enjoy their now-shared passion for surfing and for the ocean, but also their loyal band of friends... even when they know Kristen is doomed. This is what happens when love and friendship become a wave stronger than anything.