A landscape we would normally associate with warmth, life and peace - the beach/sea, is represented as one that is cold, bleak and to be feared. Lapwing is set in this exposed beach setting where a sense of claustrophobia surrounds us and, like the community he leads, we feel we cannot seem to escape from the protagonist, David's (Emmet J. Scanlon) menacing character.
Structured in three parts, the film reveals David's dominating, controlling presence over a small, salt-farming community and the Egyptian family who want safe passage, whilst revealing a cruel disposition towards Patience (Hannah Douglas), his sister-in-law who is dumb.
She also suffers at the hands of the other male character, Jacob (Lewis Gemmill) and there is a sense of irony that both male characters names are biblical - ones we'd normally associate with being spiritual and holy. We sense both men's repressed desire for Patience who has no voice to speak about the mental and physical abuse she suffers.
Director, Philip Stevens, has skilfully adapted a fine script from the writer, Laura Turner, to present a deeply disturbing character study. The film is shot in mostly natural lighting, but we feel a sense of foreboding with the dark brooding clouds over the sunsets, captured exquisitely by cinematographer, Stewart MacGregor. The film deals with themes of loneliness, prejudice and marginalisation shown by the landscape and character types.
All the actors project very strong and memorable performances that are harrowing and hard to view in some scenes. Although historical in context, the story has themes that resonate with us in the present day. It leaves us with a resolution, and hope. A great film.
