A young traveller stows away on a cargo vessel heading from Africa to Europe and finds himself trapped in a battle of crazed wits and haunted souls.
A nautical drama in the vein of Heart Of Darkness, this is a strange tale scripted by Paul Laverty (long-time screenwriter for Ken Loach). Chris (Daniel Brühl, Goodbye Lenin) soon regrets climbing aboard The Gull, with its contraband freight, sinister crew and fearsome captain Brookes (Peter Mullan).
The latter’s performance is mesmerising, from his craggy appearance to his menacing tone of black humour and cracked logic. The overarching theme here is of the sins of the father, whether years lived with the regret of a bad father or the guilt of generations of colonialists. By acclaimed documentary director Clive Gordon, this is a drama with a political conscience. It is also a well-crafted work, shot in the confines of a real freighter. Stephen Warbeck’s unsettling score, with strings and odd metallic notes, is suitably unnerving.
The plot has lasting mysteries. This psychological thriller is neither for the faint-hearted nor those in search of an easy thrill. LL
ALL ACCESS RAINDANCE FESTIVAL PASS
All screenings take place at the CineWorld, Trocadero Centre, Piccadilly, London W1
except Opening and Closing Night - CineWorld Haymarket
Access all areas:
- ticket to the Opening Night Gala screening of BROTHERS OF THE HEAD + the After Show Party (live music, and free booze)
- 80 of the best independent feature films
*150 short films (including animation, documentary and experimental strands)
- Q & A with film producers and
directors
- networking opportunities
- meet the people who decide what movies get made: Live Ammunition! (the super pitch event)
- exclusive tickets to Stanley Kubrick screenings and events
- four monster parties (Opening - Sept 27th, Sept 29th, October 3rd and Closing Night)
- ten industry panel seminars
- a FREE commemorative Raindance Festival Tee Shirt (while supplies last)
