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Swimming Pool

Date: Aug 20 2003

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

In the new movie Swimming Pool, Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling) is a famous British mystery author. Tired of London and seeking inspiration for her new novel, she accepts an offer from her publisher to stay at his home in the South of France. Sarah finds that the beautiful countryside and slow pace is perfect for her – until late one night, when her publisher’s reckless and sexually charged daughter Julie unexpectedly arrives at the house. The two women have difficulty getting along and bad things start to happen.
Read on to learn what Zach thought of Swimming Pool!

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Miguel

Zach

Miguel: So Zach, have you seen any good movies lately?

Zach: Let’s see. I saw the Swimming Pool about two weeks ago.

Miguel: How was that?

Zach: It was good. It was really good. Um, kinda confusing. I might have see it again to really understand it.

Miguel: Is it a thriller or a mystery, or how would you describe that movie?

Zach: Well, it kinda changes through, throughout the movie. I mean, it starts out kinda slow and it’s just a, kind of a drama about someone taking a break, and it kinda turns into a thriller and there’s, there’s definitely some mystery to it also.

Miguel: So what’s the basic story? Like, why is it called Swimming Pool?

Zach: Well, the swimming pool kind of is the, the central focus of this vacation house that this woman goes to. And she’s taking a break from her job, and a lot of scenes are focused around the swimming pool.

Miguel: Is there anyone famous in it?

Zach: I didn’t recognize anyone. I think it’s a French movie, or at least it’s a French director.

Miguel: But it’s not in French?

Zach: Part of it’s in French. Someone speaks French for a couple of scenes.

Miguel: So, with all the confusion and everything, is it a movie that you would recommend, or you have mixed feelings, or what?

Zach: I think I’d recommend it. Definitely. It gives you something to think about at the end.

Quizzes

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Discussion

I haven’t seen Swimming Pool yet, but I’m excited about checking it out. It looks like an intriguing movie. The previews are very mysterious and the
characters seem to be quite complex.
The writer and director of Swimming Pool is Frenchman Francois Ozon. I like the other movies he has made, such as 8 Women and Under the Sand. He does a really good job with murder mysteries.
See you at the movies!
Anna