The documentary film Oyster Land spends time with the oystermen of Mersea Island, Essex and explores the ancient oyster culture of the city of Colchester. It’s an atmospheric journey of working on the waters of an estuary that has sustained a local trade for thousands of years.

Directors statement

"Throughout the two-and-a-half year production, I have been sincerely touched by the timeless simplicity and dedicated continuation of an ancient way of life. Towards the end of the editing process, I couldn’t help but realise that I’d made a film about the fundamental struggle of survival. It was always important for me not to romanticise the life of the oystermen, for the north sea wind, the ice cold rain, the gruelling dredging and the fear of a bleak future are all daily struggles for the Blackwater oysterman. Similar to how an oyster soaks up all the flavour from the estuary where it grows, I wanted my film to feel like the place it was filmed in. The film needed to capture the alluring atmosphere of Mersea Island, a feeling I find so poignant when crossing the ancient Saxon causeway into this land of the oyster."

We are delighted that the film's director, Matthew Harrison, will be joining us to introduce his film with some live maritime music beforehand and talk about the film after the screening!

For more information visit http://www.eudo-films.co.uk/

Wind, Tide & Oar is a compelling exploration of engineless sailing, shot on 16mm film over three years. The film delves into the experiences of those who travel solely by harnessing the natural elements alone, following a diverse array of traditional boats and uncovering the unique rhythms and motivations of engineless navigation.

Journeying through rivers, coastlines, and open seas, spanning the UK, the Netherlands, and France, Wind, Tide & Oar creates a contemplative space, addressing themes of ecology, heritage, traditional skills, and maritime history. Using a 1960s hand-wound camera, Wahl offers a poetic and intimate perspective on a millennia-old craft, upended by the invention of mechanised power.

Through the film’s reveries, sailing becomes a means to explore our interaction with and responsibility to the environment. It invites deep reflection on our relationship with nature, our understanding of and commitment to sustainability, and our care for the world around us.

The film is shot around Suffolk, Cornwall and Essex.

PREVIEW SCREENING AS THIS WILL NOT BE OFFICIALLY RELEASED UNTIL APRIL 2025