SEA FEVER

Ireland, 2019, 95 minutes, Colour.
Hermione Corfield, Dougray Scott, Connie Neilson, Jack Hickey, Olwen Fouere, Elie Bouakaze, Ardalan Esmaili.
Directed by Neassa Hardiman.

Sea Fever is a small budget drama, an Irish production, set in the west of Ireland. The focus is on the fishing crew, financial needs, the captain deciding to enter an exclusion zone after warnings by the Coast Guard.

This means that the film becomes a drama in the tradition of sea creatures, menacing creatures and the threats to the crew. In this case, there is no explanation but there is a giant seeming-squid, with luminescent barnacles. Gradually, they infect the ship, infect the crew leading to deaths. (And there is another ship at sea which this crew goes to visit and finds everyone dead.)

The film also has an academic background with the central character, Siobhan (Hermione Corfield) doing research on sea patterns, going on the ship, diving to inspect the barnacles, further research.

The captain and his wife are played by Doougray Scott and Connie Neilson.

The film is effective in its way but comparatively low key compared with Hollywood style menace and drama.

1. The title? Sea film? Traditions about the sea and fevers?

2. The Irish setting, the West Coast, scenes at sea? Underwater photography? The musical score?

3. Siobhan, her studies, the professor, books and computer, plan to sail, going on board, the welcome, interactions with the crew, a place for study? Her background, patterns of sea life? Diving skills? Personality?

4. The mission of the ship, fishing, information about the exclusion zone, not telling the crew? Gerard and his personality, in command, his relationship with Freya, their bonds? The management of the ship, the crew? The ship, equipment, details?

5. Johnny, his talent, Sudi and his skills, Omar? Their presence on board, age, work?

6. The mysterious ooze, the blue colour, the barnacles, the theory about the large fish, Siobhan diving, not wanting to go down again? The mystery?

7. The boat on the ocean, rowing towards it, discovering the crew dead? Gerard keeping it secret?

8. Stopping the ooze, Johnny and the wheel, cutting his hand, the infection? His going for a swim? The attraction to Siobhan? The sudden manifestation, the water in the shower, his infection, searching his eyes, his eyes bursting, the fish? The response of the crew? Sudi, going to the shower, his wounds, tending to him?

9. The haul of fish, everybody happy, at work?

10. Siobhan suggesting the 36 hours isolation?

11. The experience, the effect on Gerard, his farewell to Freya, his death? Freya rowing away? The other members of the crew, the threats, the infection, deaths? Omar on the boat, Siobhan rescuing him, her infection? Omar alone?

12. A sea monster thriller and the traditions? The film’s release in 2020, the year of endemic and lockdown, mysterious infections, isolation and consequences?