Shouting at the Sea

It's no easy task to get an audience to connect with, and care about, a film's characters in just 20 minutes, but Ben Verrall and his team of co-writers achieve this brilliantly with Shouting at the Sea. It manages to do what all great character-driven films do: Make poignant heartache somehow feel redemptive and uplifting.

The performances of the two protagonists are wonderful, played subtly and seemingly effortlessly, allowing the watcher to feel as if they're glimpsing a moment of reality - one that is shot beautifully, managing to capture the essence of a once-great seaside town in need of the love and attention so clearly craved by one of its inhabitants. The addition of the ever-brilliant Daisy Haggard as the voice of the sea is a great touch, bringing a poeticism very much in keeping with the piece.

I'll very much look forward to what this up-and-coming British director produces next.

This is a well crafted short film that achieves a depth and complexity that leaves me wanting to see more by the writer and filmmaker. 'Shouting at the Sea' is an invitation to reflect on the direction life takes and the connections we make along the way, and our interpretation of events then, and now. This perfectly paced film is deeply moving and visually rich and beautiful. The sound perfectly complements the experience of the piece. The presence of the sea gives a sense of that which is both constant and ever-changing, rhythmic and eternal; a quality of both memory and possibility. I left with an uplifting sense of having revisited something within that had been forgotten for too long.

Absolutely loved it - the cinematography, the pacing, the framing, the wonderfully 'simple' script that allowed so much said and unsaid to give body and real depth to the characters. Excellent performances too from Harry Michell and Maddie Rice, each delivering an honest and gentle reflection on friendship and youth and what it means to stay or to go.

Shot on location in Hastings, there is an affectionate specificity about some of the scenes, but it's clear that the Film Makers have an excellent eye for place and space and this town is very much every town, every where, in which people stayed in, and people left - and a genuine curiosity for what 'home' means.

Added to that the wonderful backdrop & scope of the sea, voiced by the fantastic Daisy Haggards adds a real poetry to what is a really thoughtful and beautiful film.

I really enjoyed it. It left me wanting more. It was heartfelt, and you could feel the connection between the characters, they felt real and were so likeable. Their emotions really came through, and it was impossible not to feel what they were feeling-the joy, the tension, and even the unspoken moments. It's the kind of film that tugs at you without being over the top. Almost shed a tear!

Hastings felt like its own character, making me want to visit again. The way the town and the sea were brought to life was stunning, and the sound was amazing, especially with all the cuts to the sea. It added so much emotion and atmosphere, making every moment feel even more alive.

Would definitely recommend.

A beautifully crafted short film that poignantly explores the essence of human connections, capturing the fragility, warmth, and profound impact of the bonds we share.

The two leads share a refreshingly authentic chemistry-raw, vulnerable, and genuine. Set against the charming backdrop of an out-of-season seaside town, Hastings provides the perfect setting for the characters to reconnect and reflect on their shared history.

Exceptional performances, stunning cinematography and a captivating spoken word soundtrack enhance the film's magic.

Highly recommended for fans of intelligent, emotionally charged cinema.