SIDEWORLD - TERRORS OF THE SEA
Reviewed by Tracy Nicholas
Hear an interview with the director in Episode 120 here
Terrors of the Sea is the second episode in Rubicon Films Sideworld documentary series and brings with it the same energy of storytelling, wonder and mystery as the first. The viewer is once again treated to stunning visuals, intriguing tales and a score that beckons one to step into the otherworldly realm of the Sideworld to discover what strange phenomenons hide in the depths of the sea. This episode explores supernatural occurrences at sea and on the shores where frightening or unnatural things spill over onto the land. Various chapters within examine ghost ships, sea monsters, spectral sailors and mermaids with a narrative that provides stories of the unexplainable and various theories behind each tale all mixed in with some good old fashioned human drama.
The cinematography provides beautiful imagery of the sea, but reminds the viewer that the sea is a vast and dangerous place by using odd angles and water flowing in unnatural ways. Historic artwork is used to set a mood of tales passed down through generations while original artwork links the past to the present with stylized drawings that seem to be both antique and yet current. The visual experience lends a perpetual feeling that a storm may blow in at any moment. Black and white footage mixes well with the mostly cool color palate to remind you that the ocean is a cold and unforgiving environment for humans. Creaking sounds and eerie music caution that the open water must be respected or disaster may occur and disasters do dominate many of the stories. Grounded ships, schooners set alight, drownings and monstrous attacks on vessels are all examined. Famous stories such as the Flying Dutchman are explored along with less universally known tales like the Wildman of Orford. The connections of the stories to various works of fiction such as passages from Shakespeare, Lovecraft and even the bible highlight mankind’s long standing fascination with the sea. Where Terrors of the Sea gets really interesting, though, is in the Sea Monsters and Mermaids chapters. The sightings and theories about what various sea serpents might actually be are fascinating in their own right, but human encounters with various creatures of the sea are really the highlight of this episode. The creatures are feared by the people they encounter but what happens when these creatures’ lives intersect with nearby seafaring folk tells an unexpected tale. People in the stories approach the creatures in fear with unpleasant and sometimes violent reactions, raising the question of who are the real monsters. The film asks what we might have learned if we approached these creatures with curiosity and compassion instead of fright and panic. Would we have even considered them monsters? Sadly, it seems that we may have lost many opportunities to find out through a collective ignorance shown when faced with the unknown. To be fair, both the Ghost Ships and Spectral Sailors chapters conclude with speculation on the deeper meanings behind the unexplained activities of those who walk this world in spirit only. Consequently, every chapter has a satisfying end followed by an ample enough transition between chapters to give the viewer time to digest and contemplate the stories.
Though they manage to pack quite a few stories into just over an hour, nothing ever seems rushed. Overall the pace is comfortable, but this is definitely not a film to watch with distractions around. Each member of the creative team has much to offer and you will not want to miss any of this experience.
I look forward to the ongoing series unfolding and am anxious to discover what other liminal spaces that Sideworld will lead me to.
Reviewed by Tracy Nicholas
Hear an interview with the director in Episode 120 here
Terrors of the Sea is the second episode in Rubicon Films Sideworld documentary series and brings with it the same energy of storytelling, wonder and mystery as the first. The viewer is once again treated to stunning visuals, intriguing tales and a score that beckons one to step into the otherworldly realm of the Sideworld to discover what strange phenomenons hide in the depths of the sea. This episode explores supernatural occurrences at sea and on the shores where frightening or unnatural things spill over onto the land. Various chapters within examine ghost ships, sea monsters, spectral sailors and mermaids with a narrative that provides stories of the unexplainable and various theories behind each tale all mixed in with some good old fashioned human drama.
The cinematography provides beautiful imagery of the sea, but reminds the viewer that the sea is a vast and dangerous place by using odd angles and water flowing in unnatural ways. Historic artwork is used to set a mood of tales passed down through generations while original artwork links the past to the present with stylized drawings that seem to be both antique and yet current. The visual experience lends a perpetual feeling that a storm may blow in at any moment. Black and white footage mixes well with the mostly cool color palate to remind you that the ocean is a cold and unforgiving environment for humans. Creaking sounds and eerie music caution that the open water must be respected or disaster may occur and disasters do dominate many of the stories. Grounded ships, schooners set alight, drownings and monstrous attacks on vessels are all examined. Famous stories such as the Flying Dutchman are explored along with less universally known tales like the Wildman of Orford. The connections of the stories to various works of fiction such as passages from Shakespeare, Lovecraft and even the bible highlight mankind’s long standing fascination with the sea. Where Terrors of the Sea gets really interesting, though, is in the Sea Monsters and Mermaids chapters. The sightings and theories about what various sea serpents might actually be are fascinating in their own right, but human encounters with various creatures of the sea are really the highlight of this episode. The creatures are feared by the people they encounter but what happens when these creatures’ lives intersect with nearby seafaring folk tells an unexpected tale. People in the stories approach the creatures in fear with unpleasant and sometimes violent reactions, raising the question of who are the real monsters. The film asks what we might have learned if we approached these creatures with curiosity and compassion instead of fright and panic. Would we have even considered them monsters? Sadly, it seems that we may have lost many opportunities to find out through a collective ignorance shown when faced with the unknown. To be fair, both the Ghost Ships and Spectral Sailors chapters conclude with speculation on the deeper meanings behind the unexplained activities of those who walk this world in spirit only. Consequently, every chapter has a satisfying end followed by an ample enough transition between chapters to give the viewer time to digest and contemplate the stories.
Though they manage to pack quite a few stories into just over an hour, nothing ever seems rushed. Overall the pace is comfortable, but this is definitely not a film to watch with distractions around. Each member of the creative team has much to offer and you will not want to miss any of this experience.
I look forward to the ongoing series unfolding and am anxious to discover what other liminal spaces that Sideworld will lead me to.