Seagrass (film)

Last updated
Seagrass
Seagrass poster.jpg
Film poster
Directed by Meredith Hama-Brown
Written byMeredith Hama-Brown
Produced bySara Blake
Tyler Hagan
Starring Ally Maki
Luke Roberts
Cinematography Norm Li
Edited byShun Ando
Kane Stewart
Music byOscar Vargas
Production
companies
Ceroma Films
Experimental Forest Films
Distributed byGame Theory Films
Release date
  • September 8, 2023 (2023-09-08)(TIFF)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

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]

Contents

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 also screened at the 2023 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, [4] the 2023 Vancouver International Film Festival, [5] and the 2023 Atlantic International Film Festival.

Reception

Seagrass has received positive reviews from film critics. [6] [7] [8] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 91% of 22 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.7/10. [9] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 84 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". [10]

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." [11]

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." [12]

The film was named to TIFF's annual Canada's Top Ten list for 2023. [13]

Awards

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef(s)
Canadian Screen Awards 2024 Best Costume Design Athena Theny Nominated [14]
Best Hair Isabelle PaganineNominated
Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival 2023 Outstanding Canadian Feature FilmMeredith Hama-BrownWon [15]
Directors Guild of Canada 2023 Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award Longlisted [16]
Festival du nouveau cinéma 2023 Prix de la diffusion QuébécorWon [17]
Toronto International Film Festival 2023 FIPRESCI Prize Won [18]
Vancouver Film Critics Circle 2023 Best British Columbia Film Won [19]
Best British Columbia Director Won
Best Supporting Actress in a Canadian Film Nyha Huang BreitkreuzWon
Best Supporting Actor in a Canadian Film Chris PangNominated [20]
Best Screenplay for a Canadian Film Meredith Hama-BrownNominated
One to Watch Nominated

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References

  1. 1 2 V.S. Wells, "BC filmmaker Meredith Hama-Brown to premiere debut feature at TIFF". The Georgia Straight , August 4, 2023.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ "Sudbury-shot 'traumedy' to be a Cinefest special presentation". Sudbury Star , July 27, 2023.
  5. ↑ Smith, Charlie (2023-09-26). "VIFF 2023: Seagrass takes a deep dive into a troubled mixed-race marriage foundering on the rocks of B.C. history". Pancouver. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  6. ↑ "Seagrass – Film Threat" . Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  7. ↑ Yanaga, Tynan (2024-02-28). "SEAGRASS: A Story of Japanese Identity and Collective History". Film Inquiry. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  8. ↑ Hutchinson, Chase (2024-02-23). "'Seagrass' Review: For Children of Divorce, This Is a Horror Movie". Collider. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  9. ↑ "Seagrass". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Seagrass". Metacritic . Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  11. ↑ Emma Badame, "TIFF 2023: Seagrass Review". That Shelf, September 10, 2023.
  12. ↑ Rachel Ho, "'Seagrass' Embraces the Chaos of Family Dynamics". Exclaim! , February 21, 2024.
  13. ↑ Pat Mullen, "TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten Includes BlackBerry, Solo, Humanist Vampire". That Shelf, December 6, 2023.
  14. ↑ "BlackBerry Leads CSA Nominations". Northern Stars, March 6, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Cinéfest reveals 2023 award winners". Sudbury.com , September 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ Connie Thiessen, "DGC unveils 2023 Discovery Award long list". Broadcast Dialogue, September 12, 2023.
  17. ↑ Charles-Henri Ramond, "(FNC 2023) Chloé Leriche et Ariane Louis-Seize récompensées". Films du Québec, October 16, 2023.
  18. ↑ Christian Zilko, "American Fiction’ Wins People’s Choice Award at 2023 TIFF (Complete Winners List)". IndieWire , September 17, 2023.
  19. ↑ "VFCC Loves 'BlackBerry'". Northern Stars. February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  20. ↑ Taimur Sikander Mirza, "BlackBerry, Seagrass lead VFCC’s Canadian nominees". Playback , January 23, 2024.
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