Lapwing

Lapwing is a beautifully haunting film that tells a powerful and emotionally resonant story with real sensitivity and depth. Set in 16th-century England, it explores themes of love, isolation, prejudice, and survival in a brutal and unforgiving world. The performances are incredibly captivating, especially from the lead actress, whose silent strength and emotional presence speak volumes without a single word. The cinematography is breathtaking, with striking visuals that capture the raw beauty and harshness of the setting. A moving, poetic period drama that lingers in the mind and heart long after it ends.

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.

You really get a sense of claustrophobia watching this, as you follow the story of a voiceless woman, trapped in a small community dominated by a jealous monster. This is in stark contrast to the beautifully shot vast landscape of the Lincolnshire coast. Some very disturbing scenes that will stay with we.

Tormenting and menacing, Lapwing, filmed in a picturesque setting on the Lincolnshire coast in just 16 days, meant that the production was rushed, but still provided stark contrast between setting and place.

The female mute perspective of Patience, with a 16th Century helplessness of women, provides aspects that can be carried across to modern day. The film contrasted this with a cathartic finish. Patience is the perfect name for this character, providing reflections of those who experience oppression even in a modern context, her silence speaks volumes.

Character development was flawed, matching the characters themselves. David was as menacing as his troubles, and the hatred the audience developed for him was not entirely devoid of compassion.

Characters that could have been developed further were the Egyptians, and the hardship faced by them, along with more references to the gypsy way of life, which was more of a footnote in the film. This would have excelled Lapwing into its true pinned wing vision, echoing the discrimination that immigrants faced both then and now.

Worth a watch for the scenery, violent emotive nature, and provocation it awakened in thought.

Really impressed by this bleak but beautiful slow burner. Hannah Douglas does wonders with her role as a young mute woman up against her controlling and terrifying brother in law (Emmett J. Scanlan). The landscape may be calm and peaceful but the relationships with their psychological, and ultimately physical, battles are anything but. Sebastian de Souza offers some heart to the proceedings and Sarah Whitehouse's tortured sister brings another emotional layer to a powerful and memorable picture. A welcome end of year surprise!