An impressive slow-burner, Hannah Douglas Shines.
Centred around a 16th century tale of forbidden love, LAPWING’s themes of cultural friction and racial prejudice resonate in a strangely familiar way with any in the present day, in this highly original debut feature from director, Phillip Stevens.
Set on the salt marshes by the sea, LAPWING tells the tale of salt farmer’s daughter, Patience. She is a long suffering, mute girl who is suddenly capitulated out of her lowly, tough life, harvesting salt, when she falls in love with ‘Rumi’ who is the son of a Gypsy family, who are on the run, from the persecution that many, ‘different’ people suffered during Henry VIII’s reformation. They are waiting for a boat to take them to safety, which has been secured by David, the leader of Patience’s family group, who is a tough, mercenary man who also acts as Patience’s guardian. However, when the love affair is discovered, tensions rise, and reveal a dark underside, extreme prejudice and a level of cruelty and abuse from David, that shocks downtrodden Patience enough, that she now rebels with startling and severe consequences.
Made on an ultra-low budget, LAPWING’s strength comes from a well-structured, clear story and strong dramatic premise, written by upcoming writer and actress, Laura Turner. Steven’s direction is clear and inspired, with all the action, although minimal, and mainly in one location, strong enough to hold and thrill an audience. With an almost theatrical feel, LAPWING, still however, manages to transport its audience to another time and place.
This is helped by meticulous attention to the setting, all be it a simple one, and a very strong performances from Hannah Douglas as Patience, and Emmett J Scanlan as David. The costumes too, by Pauline Loven, are spot on. Slick, naturalistic camera work, by Stuart MacGregor, utilising a palette of soft blues and greys, also gives the film a flow and coverage which works to draw the audience right in. As for what audience would enjoy LAPWING? LAPWING will appeal to anyone who likes history, love stories, and a good bit of drama. There’s lots to like and at 93 minutes, LAPWING is a film with a heart, and well worth a watch. All in all, it is a small, but rather good little gem even if it is set in an ultra-low budget setting.
Review by fellow writer/director, Jane A. Foster, who loves to support all British films. janecreates@23films.com
