Contrecourant

Salminen Pauliina

In this series of portraits, people are filmed under water, saying something they would not or could not say otherwise. They may be expressing anger or other emotions, or telling a secret. The characters are shown in close-ups while they stay underwater, making their declaration as long as they can, until the lack of air forces them back to the surface. The facial expressions caused by shouting against the resistance of water mixed with bubbles convey a strong, explosive emotional charge. However, the explosion stays under the surface and water smoothens sharp gestures and muffles sounds. The scream becomes a shrill, indistinct noise, covered by the resonance of bubbles.

Production Year
2014
Duration
00:01:40
Tyyppi
Asiasana
Original Title
Contrecourant
Finnish Title

Vastavirtaan

English Title

Contrecourant

Production Countries
France
Dialogue
No
Sound
Yes
Cast
Pauliina Salminen (Author), Pauliina Salminen (Cinematographer), Pauliina Salminen (Director), Pauliina Salminen (Script), Pauliina Salminen (Editor), Pauliina Salminen (Sound Design)
Press Photos
Pauliina Salminen is a media artist whose work includes video, photography and installation. Salminen studied film and video in Turku, Finland, and in Marseille, France where she's now based. She has directed documentary films and moved gradually towards media art projects as well as interactive video installations. The audience is often involved in her working process. The themes in her work include identity connected to the living environment as well as border areas and intermediate spaces. Her installations can be seen regularly in very different spaces (e.g. galleries, museums, social centers, public space, natural surroundings) and her short videos have been screened at various international festivals.