Traitement de choc (Der Schocker)

Jessua's next project was to be a science fiction film entitled La planète bleue, but after long preparations it was cancelled by producer Carlo Ponti. Jessua wanted to recover from this experience by undergoing thalassotherapy and found the inspiration for the film, the success of which revived his career as a director: Hélène Masson, a fashion entrepreneur who is successful in her career but unfulfilled in her private life, follows the advice of a friend and travels to a spa clinic on the Atlantic coast. There, the doctor Devilers carries out a fresh cell therapy that seems to addict his patients from the high society. Jessua's direction leaves it open as to whether the film's oppressive horror atmosphere stems from the fantastic story or the grimly lucid vision of an amoral society and its credo: ‘Do as the others do - think only of yourself.’ (G.V.)