Jordane Oudin

Jordane Oudin, honestly, is kind of a wild card in the indie film scene—someone you might not have heard about unless you’re deep into arthouse or French cinema rabbit holes. “Néréides” (2018) is probably the one that put him on the radar for a select crowd: it’s dreamy, a bit abstract, and doesn’t really care if you keep up. The whole thing floats through memory and longing, with Oudin’s performance not so much shouting for attention as quietly haunting you. Then there’s “Bikini Vertigo” (2011)—and wow, that’s a trip. It’s got this weird, sun-soaked energy, like you’re watching people unravel at the edge of a pool party that’s gone on way too long. Oudin is right there in the thick of it, blending existential dread with this offbeat, almost comedic timing that makes you question what genre you’re even watching. Jump to “A New Old Play” (2021), which totally flips the script. It’s more theatrical, almost like watching a fever dream staged by a wandering troupe of ghosts. Oudin’s involvement gives the whole thing a layer of grounded weirdness, if that makes sense. He slips into the role with this uncanny knack for making surreal moments hit close to home. There’s a sense that, no matter how bizarre things get, he’s got one foot in reality—dragging you along whether you want to go or not. Not exactly household name status, but if you’re after something that sticks in your head for days (or weeks), his filmography is a goldmine of oddball gems.