One of Cinema's greatest virtues is working with themes that discuss morals, belief, power and human nature. This proposal is never easy to execute, nor to be fully understood in the final production result. What is seen on the screen can often result in controversy, subversion and controversies even if the narrative there brings a portrait close to our reality.
The Canadian film The King Tide (2023) by Christian Sparkes aims to work with these issues. Here, the director intends to explore the changes in a peaceful, isolated and idyllic fishing village that changes its behavior after the unexpected arrival of a girl with extraordinary powers.
Of course, Sparkes uses Fiction, as well as metaphors and symbolism, to dialogue with much of what we see in society. Once again, Cinema reflects on the impacts of a community that will now need to deal with the powers at its disposal. Far from being another typical superhero film, the gift of the girl Isla (Alix West Lefler) will serve as the trigger for a series of changes in the village.
Another important resource for creating a dark atmosphere in the film is the desolate situation of the village itself. Furthermore, residents are determined not to have contact with other places, and they don't even look for doctors and clinics outside the island. This adds a tone of conservatism that ends up weighing on the girl's situation of extreme idolatry, in addition to impacting the antagonism of ideas among some inhabitants.
The final half hour also guarantees extra tension, all leading up to an explosive ending that will leave the viewer with varied interpretations and some questions. If this is what Cinema must be like, Sparkes is on a good path.
The King Tide
2023
Drama / Mystery / Thriller
The King Tide
2023
Drama / Mystery / Thriller
Plot summary
After the mayor of an idyllic island village discovers a child with mysterious powers awash on their shores, the once peaceful community devolves into civil war, torn over the belief that the child is the next saviour.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
July 20, 2024 at 08:30 PM
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A reflection on the transformations caused when power and greed are at stake.
interesting isolation
On a remote island after a storm, the community hears the cries of a baby and finds her trapped under a boat wreck. The baby seems to have magical healing properties. It's ten years later. The baby is now young girl Isla. She has been adopted by mayor Bobby (Clayne Crawford) and his wife Grace (Lara Jean Chorostecki). Grace's frail mother Faye (Frances Fisher) has recovered with Isla's help. The fishing is back. The community adores Isla and her healing powers. Isla discovers more of her powers. The community becomes divided over using Isla.
I love the moody atmosphere. I am surprised that there isn't more religion in the movie's spiritual themes. In a way, I appreciate that it doesn't go full religious but it does go into the cult territories. The wasps do need to have a bigger scene. It is such an important incident. After a slow simmering middle, the tension really takes off with the arrival of the two mainlanders. This is a smallish movie and a simple idea. In its isolation, it shows something about the bigger human world.
intense, cerebral, eerie-creepy good drama
Synopsis: three generations have chosen isolation on a Newfoundland coast island to avoid mainland present day, but an infant seemingly born of the sea brings the settlement a unique gift of healing powers. An unexpected death among the settlers brings tension among the group, and the gifted child Isla, is suddenly without her healing powers. Isla must now be protected by her adoptive father, Bobby (Clayne Crawford of Lethal Weapon tv series, the Channel, Integrity of Joseph Chambers) and he comes to the harsh and heartbreaking reality that leaving the group is soon his daughter's best hope. The group, however, has other plans, and the worst of humanity ensues: neighbor against neighbor, family against family, friends against friends, and just who will survive and why becomes the question on everyone's mind.
Note:
I must say that films like this always give you clues throughout, and I shouldn't have been so shocked, but I became so engrossed in the film and the characters that it really did make me gasp! The elements of creating a successful film came together: the story, script, director, editor, soundtrack, actors and more created an experience of simplicity in story, but complexity and tension in its evolution. It's eerie-creepy good!