From The Sea to the Land Beyond: Britain's Coast on Film is a documentary feature film directed by Penny Woolcock, with an original soundtrack by British indie-rock band Sea Power. The project was produced by Heather Croall and Mark Atkin of Crossover to premiere at the Sheffield Doc/Fest[1] as part of The Space project from the BBC and the Arts Council England. The film was edited by Alex Fry.[2]
The earliest footage is taken from Blackpool at the start of the 20th century. There's a carnival procession with floral floats and a placard about the suffragettes. A swimming race takes place with everyone dressed in evening wear complete with top hats, watched by boats of spectators, also in fine attire. Women are shown repairing nets and gutting, salting and packing herring. They also dangle off the sides of cliffs to collect eggs.[6]
The film includes early footage from the Mitchell and Kenyon film company; early Peter Greenaway; and footage from Marion Grierson, the sister of British 'docfather' John Grierson.[7] Wartime footage shows RMS Mauretania, troops practising trench manoeuvres, synchronised marching battalions and women priming and loading bombs. In more peaceful times, families enjoy the simple pleasures of the seaside, with palmistry and phrenology available on the beach. Up-to-date footage of the British at play includes a wind and rain-lashed Blackpool with holidaymakers battling the elements. RNLIlifeboat and helicopter rescues are shown, highlighting the bravery of those involved. The life of the docks is explored, from bustling workplaces to the redevelopment of the London Docklands.[6]
Before its debut Woolcock said it was the only film she'd made that was "unstressful to watch" and called it "a beautiful and poetic experience".[8]From the Sea to the Land Beyond was produced by Mark Atkin for Crossover and Heather Croall for Doc/Fest.[5]
Doc/Fest’s archive and music offering last year From The Sea To The Land Beyond was addictive, and performed well for Storyville on BBC Four.
The soundtrack was released as a studio album titled From the Sea to the Land Beyond under Rough Trade Records on 2 December 2013. Sea Power were commissioned to write and perform the soundtrack because of their love of nature and wildlife. The soundtrack was composed at Lympne Castle in Kent and recorded at Brighton Electric studios.
As the film begins, plaintive keyboard chords are joined by trumpet, cello and a crescendo of drums and cymbals. The music ebbs and flows with the elements depicted in the film.[8]
The music is made up of reworked moments from the band's back catalogue, for example elements of the tracks "Carrion", "No Lucifer" and "The Great Skua", along with specially written material.[2][6]
The title of the film and the soundtrack is drawn from the song "The Land Beyond" from the album Open Season.
Track listing
No.
Title
Length
1.
"From the Sea to the Land Beyond"
5:00
2.
"Remarkable Diving Feat"
4:18
3.
"Strange Sports"
3:15
4.
"Heroines of the Cliff"
4:52
5.
"The Guillemot Girls"
3:05
6.
"Suffragette Riots"
3:57
7.
"Heatwave"
3:44
8.
"Melancholy of the Boot"
4:22
9.
"Be You Mighty Sparrow"
2:13
10.
"Berth 24"
4:04
11.
"Red Rock Riviera"
6:53
12.
"Coastguard"
4:22
13.
"Perspectives of Stinky Turner"
4:54
14.
"Bonjour Copains"
2:58
15.
"The Wild Highlands"
3:10
16.
"Docklands Renewed"
5:41
17.
"The Islanders"
3:07
18.
"Heatwave (Lympne Castle Demo)"
3:45
Interactivity
The film was launched with an interactive website, landbeyond.co.uk, allowing users to create a personalised video postcard. The website won the FOCAL International Award for Best Use of Footage on Digital or non-Television Platforms.[14]
