Change is the only constant in life. The Greek thinker Heraclitus coined this phrase, which philosophers often use to remind everyone that existence is always in motion, akin to the waves of water. Benjamin Verrall’s short film Shouting at the Sea contrasts this forward-thinking ideology by examining two troubled individuals. Both have their eyes seemingly fixated on the future, yet their spirits remain stranded in the past for one reason or another.
A cloudy afternoon by the seaside in Hastings serves as the backdrop for the reunion of Joe (Harry Michell) and Katherine (Maddie Rice). Returning to their hometown after years apart, the pair wander from location to location. An uneasy energy brewing between them ultimately drowns out the beauty of the locales, from the scenic cliffs to the nighttime beachside. We learn that the passing of Joe’s father has led to him becoming withdrawn, while Katherine’s emotional distress has been left undealt with, masked by her so-called picture-perfect life. However, each seems to have a deeper issue that concerns the other. As the hours pass, the gathering gradually takes on new significance as memories from the past emerge, raising the question of how Joe and Katherine will navigate their future. Little poems told by the gentle voice of Daisy Haggard will chime in periodically during Joe and Katherine’s journey, almost like a third-party eavesdropping with eloquence.
Despite the potentially volatile nature of meetups like these, Verrall along with fellow screenwriters Amelia Rowcroft, Kate Auster, and Ruth Marshall exercise a level of subtlety that demands attention. Shouting at the Sea’s boisterous title gives way to an empathetic and delicate meditation on the countless avenues a person can travel through in a single lifetime. The performances of Michell and Rice, who share excellent chemistry throughout the entire short, convey a lot more through silence than through words. Although the short leaves much unsaid, the quiet moments between Joe and Katherine compel the viewer to delve deeper. The sharply dressed Katherine contrasts Joe’s casual exterior, further deepening the intangible bond they share on screen. The mystery of what connects them drives the film forward, and it’s a thoroughly compelling one.
An earnest trip down memory lane, Shouting at the Sea is a gorgeous short from Benjamin Verrall that lays all the insecurities of its characters bare, allowing for them and the audience to ponder the consequences of deep-seated turmoil.
