- Environmental horror film spotlights UK water pollution crisis
- Silicon Gothic’s “Black Samphire” confronts water contamination issues
- Film promotes sustainability, utilising green production practices
Black Samphire, an environmental folk horror featuring Stephen Fry’s voice, illuminates the United Kingdom’s increasing water pollution problem by fusing rural myth with the real-world threat of the climate crisis.
The buzzing Ritzy cinema in Brixton debuted the environmental horror film Black Samphire just before World Water Day; however, its subject matter was not the urban sprawl of south London.
The contemporary menace portrayed in the short film, which was shot in West Sussex, is water pollution and its debilitating impact on the rivers of the United Kingdom.
Cathy Wippell and Joseph Archer, co-founders of Silicon Gothic and the filmmakers responsible for the production, state that they felt compelled to proclaim this message.
The world has numerous enormous, complex, and ineffable problems, and Silicon Gothic “mystifies” these issues by rendering them tangible and understandable.
With rivers across the nation becoming contaminated with effluent due, in part, to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather, this message is particularly pertinent.
Wippell is an avid open-water swimmer who co-stars and writes the film. After stretches of water in her native county were closed off due to rising water toxicity levels, she was inspired to write the screenplay.
“It’s not readily apparent when you look at a river; what’s lurking beneath the surface is not exactly visible,” says Wippell. It was crucial for the narrative that such a concept be materialised and perceived as a danger.
Additionally, the production upheld a stringent sustainability policy throughout filming and conducted two beach cleans in pre-production to raise funds, thereby establishing eco-credentials that extended beyond the plot.
The production company has committed to implementing at least one climate-positive action per film. This includes diligent efforts to reduce waste and streamline production processes and proactive measures to rectify any existing environmental harm.
Before the commencement of filming, every member of the cast and crew was required to affix their signature to a green rider, which outlined fundamental conduct and sustainability protocols, such as the provision of a refillable water container and the commitment to separate trash.
Transfer it; avoid burning it.
All meals served on set were vegetarian or vegan, and more than 160 flapjacks were prepared from scratch for the shoot instead of plastic-wrapped crisps or cereal bars.
As part of the “circular production” concept, resources from more extensive television and film productions were repurposed for the filming. Subsequently, items that were no longer needed were donated or passed on.
Archer acknowledges that items from quick turnaround films and shows are occasionally burned instead of donated; this is a disgraceful practice amid a global resource overconsumption crisis and a cost of living crisis.
Despite the filming in October, care was taken to prevent avian reproduction in the marshes; the marshland’s natural cycle took precedence over the filming.
“It is inconsequential caravan dimensions”
Appropriately, for a film that critiques the detrimental consequences of excessive resource consumption, battery-powered generators were utilised instead of conventional gas ones, and LED lights were chosen over fluorescent lights to improve efficiency.
Wippell co-star and Australian actor Ishtar Currie-Wilson describes the film’s production as a source of great pleasure.
“The green rider was very energising for me, I believe because it consists of such small, straightforward, and actionable adjustments,” she explains. And from an actor’s or individual’s standpoint, it is a quality we can incorporate into all future settings.
The First Omen star continues, “I am aware there are discussions on major productions regarding irrelevant details such as trailer dimensions. However, it is possible to implement minor adjustments, and as an actress, it is extremely satisfying to have some say in the variables.
Worthy National Heritage Raymond Fry
In contrast to her other employment, Currie-Wilson states: “When I went on reshoots for a larger project following this one, I was fully aware of the single-use plastics I had utilised. Therefore, I ensured that I brought my water container and a carry-on cup, and I considered how much waste I had generated on sets without giving it much thought.
Stephen Fry, a comedian and actor, provides the voice of an invisible character in the film: an unsupportive media executive.
Wippell, who described him as an “absolute delight,” asserts that his participation “made an enormous difference” and that the film benefited significantly from the acclaim and solemnity of his voice.
Crowdfunded in part, the micro-budget film with lofty aspirations aims to serve as a model for larger studios.
Demonstrating a model for other studios
“It is crucial to do these things at the smaller independent level because it holds the larger companies accountable for their sustainability measures on their sets,” explains Wippell. “[They] can accomplish the same with millions of pounds if we can do it with this amount of money.”
Disregarding its environmental credentials, the thirteen-minute documentary exploits its brief running time to expose the dire situation of our invaluable river habitats.
Environment Agency data indicates that since 2016, the quantity of raw sewage discharged into Britain’s rivers, lakes, and waters is equivalent to over 1,270 years’ worth.
However, notwithstanding the attention garnered, water companies and regulators appear slumped to more active response.
River Action UK, a campaign organisation that collaborated with the production, is now urging those in authority to sit up and notice.
“Plunging into the enigmatic depths”
According to James Wallace, the film’s executive producer and chief executive officer of River Action UK, the organisation had previously produced short documentaries and animated features, but this marked its inaugural foray into horror.
“I was unable to resist [the film],” he stated. It extensively explores the murky depths of sewage pollution, agricultural pollution, and other contaminants in our water and its effects.
“Don’t miss out! Grab your free shares of Webull UK today!”
“It will tell a very compelling story, one that will be extremely difficult to ignore for anyone, including politicians, polluters, and members of the general public,” he continues. With any luck, this will delve deeply into the current state of affairs globally.”
However, due to decades of inadequate investment in sanitation and water systems, nobody is fully prepared to confront this issue directly.
As time runs out to prevent the release of contaminated water into oceans and rivers, this ecological story about malevolent forces attempts to draw attention to the potential catastrophe traversing our waterways and the repercussions of disregarding the warning signs.
