Seagrass (film)
| Seagrass | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Meredith Hama-Brown |
| Written by | Meredith Hama-Brown |
| Produced by | Sara Blake Tyler Hagan |
| Starring | Ally Maki Luke Roberts |
| Cinematography | Norm Li |
| Edited by | Shun Ando Kane Stewart |
| Music by | Oscar Vargas |
Production companies | Ceroma Films Experimental Forest Films |
| Distributed by | Game Theory Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Seagrass is a 2023 Canadian drama film, written and directed by Meredith Hama-Brown.[1] Hama-Brown's full-length feature debut, the film stars Ally Maki as Judith, a woman who is at a family retreat with her husband Steve (Luke Roberts) and their children following the death of her mother,[1] where she and Steve are coping with tensions in their marriage arising from their status as an interracial couple.[2]
The cast also includes Nyha Huang Breitkreuz, Chris Pang, Sarah Gadon, Hannah Bos, Remy Marthaller, Benjamin Goas, Danielle Klaudt, Miles Phoenix Foley, Gabriel Carter, Kate Gajdosik, Sawyer Proulx, Milania Kerr, Kane Stewart, and Ava Kelders.
Distribution
The film premiered in the Discovery program at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival,[3] and screened at the 2023 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival,[4] the 2023 Vancouver International Film Festival, and the 2023 Atlantic International Film Festival.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 95% of 21 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.9/10.[5] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 83 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[6]
Emma Badame of That Shelf wrote that "Hama-Brown’s camera lingers on the gorgeous scenery that surrounds this family in turmoil, and the relentless pounding of the waves against the beaches and cliff faces adds a sense of tension and urgency that belies the tranquility of the rest of their surroundings. As the film finally reaches its climax, and the powder-keg of Judith’s emotion finally explodes, it’s devastating in its simplicity but also in its relatability. It’s clear that in fictionalizing this version of her own experiences and racial identity, the writer-director has struck on something potent and even slightly beautiful about family and parenthood, and the damage done by repeated, generational mistakes. There are no neatly wrapped-up storylines to be found here either, but the layered ending is no less satisfying for its lack of closure. Anything neater would feel like a misstep in a story so grounded in the realities of every day life."[7]
For Exclaim!, Rachel Ho wrote that "along with cinematographer Norm Li, Hama-Brown offsets the natural beauty of BC's Gabriola Island with an eerie sensibility that makes Seagrass feel like a horror film ripe with Dutch angles. The grain of the 35 mm film used adds to the '90s setting and produces an unrefined atmosphere akin to a home video, as if we've stumbled upon these private moments."[8]
The film was named to TIFF's annual Canada's Top Ten list for 2023.[9]
Awards
The film was named to the initial longlist for the 2023 Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award.[10] At TIFF, it was named the winner of the FIPRESCI Prize,[11] and at Cinéfest, it won the award for Outstanding Canadian Feature Film.[12]
At the 2023 Festival du nouveau cinéma, it won the Prix de la diffusion Québécor for best first film in the national competition.[13]
At the Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2023, the film won the award for Best British Columbia Film, Hama-Brown won Best British Columbia Director, and Huang Breitkreuz won Best Supporting Actress in a Canadian Film.[14] Pang was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Canadian Film, and Hama-Brown was nominated for Best Screenplay for a Canadian Film and the One to Watch award.[15]
References
- ^ a b V.S. Wells, "BC filmmaker Meredith Hama-Brown to premiere debut feature at TIFF". The Georgia Straight, August 4, 2023.
- ^ Radheyan Simonpillai, "TIFF 2023: B.C. director Meredith Hama-Brown set to make splash with layered debut Seagrass". The Globe and Mail, September 1, 2023.
- ^ Valerie Complex, "TIFF Unveils Cinematic First Looks With Discovery And Midnight Madness Program; World Premieres Include ‘Hell Of A Summer,’ ‘Gonzo Girl,’ ‘Widow Clicquot,’ And ‘Boy Kills World’". Deadline Hollywood, August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Sudbury-shot 'traumedy' to be a Cinefest special presentation". Sudbury Star, July 27, 2023.
- ^ "Seagrass". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "Seagrass". Metacritic. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ Emma Badame, "TIFF 2023: Seagrass Review". That Shelf, September 10, 2023.
- ^ Rachel Ho, "'Seagrass' Embraces the Chaos of Family Dynamics". Exclaim!, February 21, 2024.
- ^ Pat Mullen, "TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten Includes BlackBerry, Solo, Humanist Vampire". That Shelf, December 6, 2023.
- ^ Connie Thiessen, "DGC unveils 2023 Discovery Award long list". Broadcast Dialogue, September 12, 2023.
- ^ Christian Zilko, "American Fiction’ Wins People’s Choice Award at 2023 TIFF (Complete Winners List)". IndieWire, September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Cinéfest reveals 2023 award winners". Sudbury.com, September 28, 2023.
- ^ Charles-Henri Ramond, "(FNC 2023) Chloé Leriche et Ariane Louis-Seize récompensées". Films du Québec, October 16, 2023.
- ^ "VFCC Loves 'BlackBerry'". Northern Stars. February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Taimur Sikander Mirza, "BlackBerry, Seagrass lead VFCC’s Canadian nominees". Playback, January 23, 2024.
