Direct from Cannes, the chameleon-like Francois Ozon returns to MIFF screens with two of his favourite actors, Charlotte Rampling (Under the Sand, MIFF 2001) and Ludivine Sagnier (Water Drops on Burning Rocks, MIFF 2000, 8 Women) in his first English-language film. Charlotte Rampling is Sarah Morton, an uptight British crime novelist suffering from a bout of writers block who retreats to her editor John's (Charles Dance) villa, in the South of France to seek inspiration. The explosive arrival of John's daughter, the sexy and promiscuous Julie (Sagnier), seriously shakes up the tranquil surroundings. An ambiguous and malevolent thriller, that confirms Ozon's penchant for psychological crime dramas.

"I wanted to make a film in complete contrast to 8 Femmes, which was quite a difficult project. With Swimming Pool I was looking to rediscover the joys of filming simply with some of my favourite actors. I like the idea of working in an enclosed space, it enables me to watch my actors as if I was a scientist expenmenting on animals."-— Francois Ozon