La Piscine

In the spring of 2022, Belgian filmmaker Baptiste Sornin released a short comedy that finds humor in a very simple, very human predicament. Two friends, Karim and Baptiste, head to a local swimming pool for a relaxing day. But their plans hit a snag when one of them realizes he forgot his swimming cap. What follows is a lighthearted exploration of friendship, rules, and the small absurdities of everyday life.

Sornin, who also co-wrote the script with Karim Barras, directs with a keen eye for comedic timing. Barras stars as Karim, while Sornin himself takes on the role of Baptiste, bringing a natural, improvised feel to their interactions. Michelangelo Marchese and Michel Barras round out the cast in supporting roles. Shot by cinematographer Quentin Devillers, the film runs a brisk 14 minutes, making the most of its compact runtime.

Produced by the Belgian company Cinapse, La Piscine premiered on April 24, 2022. While it did not have a major theatrical release, it has found an audience on the festival circuit, where its relatable humor and charming performances have resonated. The film's tone is playful and observational, a gentle satire of bureaucratic rules and the lengths we go to follow them. [edit]

The story begins on a bright morning in Belgium as two close friends, Karim and Baptiste, decide to spend the afternoon at the community swimming pool. They arrive with high spirits, eager to swim laps and cool off in the water. Their routine seems set until they reach the changing rooms and realize that neither of them brought the mandatory swimming cap required by the facility's strict regulations. This single oversight creates an immediate barrier between the men and their intended leisure activity.

What starts as a minor inconvenience quickly spirals into a test of patience and camaraderie. The pair attempts to navigate the pool's rigid bureaucracy, seeking any possible loophole or exception that might allow them entry without the proper gear. Their interactions highlight the absurdity of following rules blindly even when the original intent of those rules seems lost in the moment. The camera stays tight on their faces, capturing the shift from amusement to frustration as they bounce ideas off one another.

As the minutes tick by, the heat outside mirrors the rising tension inside the locker room. Other swimmers pass by, indifferent to the struggle of the two protagonists. The narrative focuses entirely on their dynamic, showing how shared problems can either bring people closer together or drive them apart. They try calling for help, checking with lifeguards, and debating the fairness of the policy, all while standing just feet away from the inviting blue water.

The situation escalates as they consider various alternatives, ranging from borrowing a cap from a stranger to attempting to sneak in without detection. Each option introduces new complications and risks, forcing them to weigh the value of their fun against the consequences of breaking the rules. The dialogue remains light but carries an undercurrent of desperation as the clock winds down on their available time.

Ultimately, the film does not resolve the conflict with a grand gesture or a sudden change in policy. Instead, it settles into a quiet acceptance of their predicament. The friends must decide whether to leave empty-handed or find a creative solution that respects the rules while preserving their friendship. The ending leaves the viewer with a sense of the small victories and defeats that make up daily life, emphasizing that sometimes the journey matters more than the destination.[edit]