Unwritten Path

ZOÉ JAECKIN

DIRECTED BY JEAN-CHARLES COUTY

Creative Intent

Zoé Jaeckin was born with the ocean as her horizon. From riding her first waves at the age of five in Hossegor, guided by her parents and the Hossegor Surf Club, to standing atop podiums in national and international competitions, her life has been shaped by discipline, passion, and the pursuit of excellence.

But at just 18 years old, Zoé has made a bold decision: to leave the structured and demanding world of competition and dive into the unknown of freesurfing. This choice marks a profound transformation, where she lets go of the pressure of rankings to embrace a life dedicated to creativity, exploration, and a deeper connection with the ocean.

This film is a poetic and heartfelt exploration of this metamorphosis. Between doubt, excitement, and renewal, it captures the journey of a young woman redefining her place in the surfing world and her own life.

The story delves into the fundamental questions that accompany her transition: Who is she without the competitions that have shaped her identity since childhood? How can she balance her personal aspirations, her quest for freedom, and the expectations placed on her as a young adult in a performance-driven world?

More than a portrait of a surfer, this film is an ode to freedom and courage. It celebrates the strength of choosing one’s own path — especially as a young woman — even when that means stepping away from what was expected. Unwritten Path is not only a coming-of-age story, but a reflection on feminine intuition, self-trust, and the quiet power of redefining oneself on one’s own terms. It’s about finding beauty in the unknown, and learning to move through the world with grace, rather than speed.

Filmmaking Approach

Unwritten Path follows a non-linear and immersive structure, anchored by an intimate interview with Zoé Jaeckin, recorded in the quiet of her home. Her voice, sometimes present and sometimes absent, guides the film as a subtle thread, weaving together moments of reflection, rupture, and renewal.

The film opens underwater, in a suspended moment of silence and breath. This dreamlike prologue sets the tone: introspective, fluid, and sensory. It is followed by a visceral sequence of pure surfing, combining competition footage with stylized surf images that capture the intensity of her past relationship with performance.

The narrative then slows down. Through fragments of her story, including her childhood in Hossegor, early competitions, and family influences, we return to the roots of her identity. These moments, built from both archival and present-day material, provide emotional depth without relying on a linear structure.

At the heart of the film lies a quiet turning point, where Zoé begins to question the meaning of success, the pressure of competition, and her evolving identity as a young woman and a surfer. These inner changes are expressed visually through stylized, almost dreamlike images—her walking alone on the beach, gliding through soft waves, or simply existing in silence.

The final part of the film embraces freedom. Her surfing becomes more expressive, fluid, and diverse. It is no longer framed by results, but by sensation and personal rhythm. There is no climax, no resolution. Just a final reflection, honest and simple, and the image of a woman alone in the ocean, carried by the movement of her own path.

The film’s aesthetic is raw yet poetic, intimate yet cinematic. Each choice in framing, rhythm, and sound design is guided by a desire to let the viewer feel, not just observe, Zoé’s metamorphosis.

Structure

01 – Intro

Zoé underwater in a fetal position. Introspective voice-over: doubts, future, entering adulthood.

02 – Stylized Surf Sequence

Stylized images blending competition and aggressive free surf. No narration, only surf .

03 – Childhood & Background

Interview and archive footage. Zoé talks about Hossegor, early surfing, first competitions, and family influence.

04 – Turning Point

Internal shift: pressure, loss of meaning, rejection of aggressive surf, search for flow and femininity, inspiration from

other surfers.

05 – Free Surf & Freedom

Second surf sequence,more personal. Emphasis on movement, fluidity, and joy. Minimal or no voice.

06 – Open Conclusion

Calm and honest final reflection. Last shot: Zoé alone in the water, top-down drone. No imposed resolution.

“When I’m here, I don’t think. I just move. And maybe that’s enough.»

About the director

Jean-Charles Couty is a filmmaker, cinematographer, and photographer based in Hossegor, specializing in crafting visually striking and emotionally resonant stories. With expertise in directing, editing, color grading, and photography, he brings a comprehensive and artistic vision to each of his projects. Jean-Charles has built his career primarily in the fashion industry, collaborating with iconic brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuiton, Saint Laurent, Ami Paris... His work captures the elegance and creativity of these worlds, blending technical precision with artistic flair, both behind the camera and in post-production.

In 2024, he directed a short documentary about Belharra, the mythical wave off the Basque coast, featuring professional surfer Paul Duvignau. The film explores Paul’s journey of resilience as he faces the challenge of not being able to surf the wave, offering a poetic reflection on perseverance and self-acceptance. Garnering over 30,000 views online, the documentary resonated with audiences for its emotional depth and visual storytelling.

What fascinates Jean-Charles across all his work is movement — in the ocean, in the body, in thought. Whether it’s a wave collapsing, a dancer breathing, or a surfer gliding, he seeks to capture those transitions where something shifts, flows, or reveals itself.

Beyond fashion and surf cinematography, Jean-Charles is also a photographer, capturing moments that balance composition, light, and storytelling. His photography often complements his filmmaking,creating a cohesive artistic identity across mediums. He has also ventured into the performing arts, collaborating on dance projects that emphasize emotion through movement, further showcasing his versatility.

Production Cost

- Filmaker Fee -

Direction, Shooting, Editing, Grading, Camera and Light Gear

2,960€

– Aquatic Camera work -

Stylized 3 surf sessions at 200€ per session filmed

600€

– Music Licensing -

3 tracks licensed at 380€ each

1140€

– Sound Post-Proudction -

300€

TOTAL
5000€

Unwritten Path is more than a portrait, it is an invitation to slow down, to observe transformation in motion, and to

reconnect with the instinctive.

This film exists because Zoé trusted me to film her from up close, without artifice, and because we both believe in

stories that flow from real emotion and lived experience.

Thank you for considering this project, I’m looking forward to building it together.

Jean-Charles Couty