A Boat in the Garden

Between dreams of adventure and a tender gaze towards his parents, young François takes the step from childhood to adulthood in a setting of tranquil landscapes and ambitious projects. In the 1950s, his father Pierre, a man of deep convictions and a passion for the sea, decides to embark on the construction of a replica of the legendary boat with which Joshua Slocum made his historic solo circumnavigation of the globe in 1895. This feat made Slocum a symbol of freedom, independence, and bravery.

Pierre, accompanied by his wife Geneviève and their 11-year-old son François, delves into this project that not only represents a technical and personal challenge but will also be an emotional journey for the whole family. François, with a special fascination for the figure of Slocum, sees in him a role model, a reference for what freedom and adventure mean. As the boat takes shape in the family garden by the Marne River, young François finds himself caught between his love for the innocence of childhood and the pull of a future that drives him towards new horizons.

The construction is not just a matter of wood and tools, but also of dreams, sacrifices, and the evolution of the relationship between father and son. As François watches, learns, and dreams of sailing the seas, the tensions and joys of family life intertwine with the promise of a future full of adventures and discoveries. The project becomes a symbol of the ideals that guide the lives of each member of this family, where love and passion for freedom will chart the course of their destinies.